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Azerbaijan has some indirect influence on the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) through cooperation with its member states, but not leveage in the organization, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan told lawmakers on Tuesday.

His comments came during the parliamentary debates on the ratification of the Second Protocol on Amending the CSTO Charter of October 7, 2002.

“In fact, Azerbaijan has no weight in the organization. It has an indirect influence through the other [CSTO] member states, but not weight,” he said, addressing concerns voiced by MP Arman Babajanyan.

The lawmaker proposed to use Armenia’s right to veto to prevent Azerbaijan from becoming an observer or partner state at the organization.

The deputy FM said Armenia does not apply its right since such a decision is made unanimously, while the veto can be used when a CSTO member state opposes a decision made by another. “That is, we must make a joint decision to grant an observer or partner status to a country at the organization,” he added.