Armenia plans EU bid, rules out renewed role in Russia-led bloc
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his government plans to begin work on a formal application for European Union membership and will not resume active participation in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) over the next five years.
Addressing parliament on Aug. 24 during debate on his government’s 2026-2031 program, Pashinyan said the CSTO had not addressed the security concerns raised by Yerevan.
“It is clearly stated in our program that we have no plans to return to the CSTO over the next five years. I can say with certainty that we will not step up our activities in the CSTO,” he said.
Pashinyan said discussions were underway within the alliance about potentially expelling Armenia and that he would welcome such an outcome.
