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Armenia is inclined to refrain from taking steps that can undermine the reputation of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Balayan told reporters at today’s briefing.

He said Armenia wants the organization to continue its activities normally, as stated both publically and during contacts with its CSTO partners.

“Our steps are fully in line with the provisions of the agreement on the CSTO’s legal status,” he said, reminding Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has proposed the CSTO member states to start a procedure of replacing the organization’s Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov.

According to Balayan, intensive discussions are underway on the issue at the moment.

He highlighted Armenia’s role in further strengthening the organization, citing important documents adopted by the CSTO at Armenia’s presidencies over the organization.

“For instance, the CSTO Development Concept was adopted during our very presidency in Yerevan in 2016. At our previous chairmanship in 2009, an agreement on the CSTO peacekeeping forces, initiated by us, was adopted,” he said.

Asked about a possible substitute for Yuri Khachaturov, the spokesman reminded he still continues to serve as the CSTO Secretary General so long as the organization’s General Council does not adopt a decision to replace him.

“The replacement procedure proposed by us, as well as the ongoing discussions do not still mean that Mr. Khachaturov is dismissed from the post. He continues to serve as the CSTO Secretary General up to now,” Balayan said.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman added it will become clear through discussions and consensus who will substitute Khachaturov and in what timeframes.

To note, CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov is charged with overthrowing constitutional order in Armenia in 2008 in the scope of the investigation into the so-called March 1 events - the post-presidential election crackdown in 2008 during which eight civilians and two police officers were killed. Khachaturov was released from custody on bail on Friday.

Khachaturov served as the Chief of the Yerevan garrison at a time of March 1, 2008, and on March 15 was appointed by the then President Robert Kocharyan as Chief of General Staff of Armenia’s Armed Forces.