Armenia refuses to sign CIS statements at the summit in Russia

Armenia has refused to support two statements adopted at the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) held in Moscow.

This was reported by OC Media.

On Monday, the meeting was attended by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

That evening, the Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman announced that Armenia had not joined the two statements adopted earlier that day. He did not provide any details of this decision.

The first statement was about the principles of cooperation in ensuring security in Eurasia.

The second statement - on the inadmissibility of unilateral restrictive measures in international relations - recommended that member states refrain from adopting, expanding or applying such measures.

The adoption of the second statement took place against the backdrop of Western sanctions imposed on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In addition to the adoption of these two statements, the CIS foreign ministers exchanged views on topical issues on the international agenda and approved a number of action plans. They also decided to hold the next meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 11, 2025, in Kazakhstan.

During the meeting, Mirzoyan highlighted regional stability and security issues related to Armenia. He touched upon the key recent developments in the settlement of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including the signing of a peace treaty.

The meeting of the foreign ministers took place on the eve of the meeting of the CIS leaders that took place on Tuesday.

Tensions between Armenia and Russia have risen since 2022, when Armenia boycotted most meetings of the CIS and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). While still maintaining a frozen status in the CSTO, Armenia in September confirmed its participation in the BRICS summit in October and another CIS summit in Moscow next year.

Author - Olena Madiak, 09/10/2024