Armenian foreign minister to skip CSTO council meeting amid frozen participation

Reuters

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will not attend the meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Foreign Ministers Council scheduled for Monday in Kyrgyzstan, according to a statement from Armenia’s Foreign Ministry.

The decision reflects Armenia’s continued distancing from the Russian-led military alliance. Yerevan formally froze its participation in the CSTO in the summer of 2024, citing dissatisfaction with the bloc's response to regional security challenges, particularly its stance during renewed tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Mirzoyan’s absence underscores the ongoing strain in Armenia’s relationship with the alliance, which also includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Armenian officials have repeatedly criticized the CSTO for what they describe as its failure to support Armenia during periods of cross-border conflict.

No further details were provided by the ministry regarding Armenia’s future engagement with the organization.

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