Armenia not to allow Azerbaijan gain status of observer or partner of CSTO: Ruben Rubinyan

Armenia is a sovereign state and will not hesitate to defend its interests in foreign relations, My Step lawmaker, chairman of NA’s Foreign Relations Standing Committee Ruben Rubinyan stated at the NA today in response to the statement of lawmaker Arman Babajanyan.

The statement followed the bill introduced by deputy foreign minister Shavarsh Kocharyan on ratification of the second declaration of the CSTO Charter adopted on October 7, 2002.

The proposed amendments specify the procedures of gaining status of partner and observer at the CSTO.

Arman Babajanyan expressed concern that Azerbaijan may become CSTO’s observer and partner, stressing that not being CSTO member it has more influence there than CSTO member Armenia.

“Azerbaijan will neither be CSTO partner nor observer as Armenia will not agree to it. Everything is that simple. I urge you once again give up the presumption about Armenia being miserable and start being guided with Armenia being powerful, sovereign country able to defend its own interests,” Rubinyan said, addressing Babajanyan.