“They can treat Armenia as they wish,” – such a conclusion is made by Director of the Armenian Center for Political and International Studies, Aghasi Yenokyan, in a conversation with Aravot.am, referring to the postponing of the appointment of the CSTO Secretary General. Note that the issue of the CSTO Secretary General is postponed three times since 2015. Mr. Yenokyan noted in distress that Armenia has shown that it is not the decision-maker in the CSTO but they are the decision-maker about Armenia.”
To our observation that they do not come to a common agreement on this matter speaks of the fact that the countries in the membership of this structure have a conflict of interest, Mr. Yenokyan replied, “The structure of military-political, and the decisions are made and imposed to the RA armed forces: the joint military troop, the CSTO unified system and many other decisions, and are delivered in Armenia. Armenia does not have anything serious to say there. Armenia has few mechanisms to make a decision.” According to Aghasi Yenokyan, the issue of the appointment of the CSTO Secretary General will be postponed until Armenia’s turn passes and the turn of other state comes, or until the mechanisms for adopting the decisions are changed, and it will become apparent that not the CSTO common decisions are adopted but Putin’s.”
Yenokyan stated with regret that all the states except Armenia express their clear stance, “All leaders of the state are able to display their righteousness. Each of them when having a problem with Putin or CSTO structures is able to show its attitude. It is Armenia that is ready and agrees to everything.” We were curious to know which way it is right for the RA political leadership to behave itself in the created situation, Aghasi Yenokyan replied, “Attending the sessions at a low level and not attending, opposing the CSTO decisions, easily not handing over our army corps to EF, opposing the air defense problems.” To our observation that there are restrictions, Mr. Yenokyan responded, “Russia also has an influence on us in the domestic politics. The RA leadership fears that if they go against Russia, it will influence on the extension of his power.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
