MOSCOW, October 23. /TASS/. Armenia has de facto already withdrawn from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov told TASS.

"We are submitting documents for internal national coordination. We are sending everything to Armenia as well, receiving on each issue a response stating that the Armenian side is not participating in the discussion or decision-making process, but that it has no objection to decisions being reached within a limited format. In other words, they do not hinder our work, the work continues, and we proceed to make decisions. They listen to weekly reports, but they do not participate in our main events, exercises, and the like. Therefore, I think Article 25 [of the CSTO Charter is relevant] here. In principle, they have de facto already withdrawn on their own," he said.

Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in parliament that he favored Armenia’s expulsion from the CSTO and would be pleased if that happened. The country does not intend to step up its participation in the CSTO over the next five years, he said, adding that Armenia’s interest in the CSTO had run its course.