Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has commented on statements regarding Armenia’s failure to pay its membership dues to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the possible consequences that could follow.
Speaking to reporters, Pashinyan said he could not provide detailed comments on the matter but acknowledged that the CSTO has a mechanism for terminating a member state’s participation.
“I cannot comment on the CSTO issue. I know that there is a mechanism for leaving the CSTO and that it is in force. If the member states decide to expel Armenia, we will have to take note of that decision. There is nothing else we can do,” Pashinyan said, responding to a question about whether there is a procedure for removing a member state from the organization and whether such a scenario could arise in Armenia’s case.
On June 8, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated that Armenia had not paid its CSTO membership fee for 2025, explaining that the country had not participated in the organization’s activities.
Armenia suspended its participation in CSTO activities in February 2024, citing concerns over the bloc’s failure to respond adequately to Armenia’s security challenges.
On June 10, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said CSTO member states had discussed the possibility of applying relevant provisions of the organization’s charter due to Armenia’s non-payment of membership dues.
The provisions under discussion could lead to restrictions on a member state’s rights if it fails to meet its financial obligations to the organization.
The CSTO includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.
