“Only the RPA is presenting the situation in the CSTO as being a diplomatic loss for our government and as the weakening of Armenian positions,” My Step alliance deputy candidate, international expert Hovhannes Igityan told reporters.
Regarding former Secretary General of the CSTO Yuri Khachaturov, he said, “Serzh Sargsyan didn’t know what to do with him at the time because it was widely known that Khachaturov neglected his duties during the April War. He was sent to the CSTO.”
Hovhannes Igityan noticed that the former authorities tied Armenia’s security to the CSTO, which was not a realistic approach. “The Armenian side neglected its duties due to the fact that the CSTO’s rules for the procedure are flawed. Therefore, ceasing activities of the Secretary-General before the limit is up causes issues in the procedure.”
Regarding the RPA’s accusations that Nikol Pashinyan needed to inform the co-chairs of the CSTO that Yuri Khachaturov was accused of his role in the events of March 1st, Igityan said, “Let’s start from the fact that there is no process for keeping someone informed. People gave testimonies against Khachaturov for his role in the events of March 1st, he was called as a witness and then interrogated. After this, he was accused. Who were we supposed to tell? Putin?”
Igityan also spoke about the RPA’s critique that Nikol Pashinyan has degraded the role of the CSTO Secretary General, calling it secondary and menial. “Pashinyan didn’t say that this is a small problem. He said that the issue of Khachaturov being recalled is not the most important issue that allied nations will solve. We aren’t saying that this position isn’t an important one.”
Luiza Sukiasyan
