ArmInfo. Most likely the presidents of CSTO countries have not agreed yet on the candidate for the organization's Secretary General position and the issue was postponed till December, Head of the Armenian Standing Parliamentary Committee on Defense, National Security and International Affairs, Koryun Nahapetyan expressed this opinion to ArmInfo's correspondent.
He also stated that he does not see any political reasons in such a decision. "I think that in December we will present a candidate, who will correspond to all the requirements of the organization and will be acceptable for all the participant countries", Nahapetyan stressed. At the same time he thinks that events within CSTO Collective Security Council's session were held in Yerevan in positive climate. "CSTO Strategy till 2025 was adopted and this is a very significant document. I think that the Armenian side has worked on excluding any risks in it", he stressed.
MP Khachatur Kokobelyan in turn stated that the adopted strategy is dangerous for all the countries participants of the CSTO, as with its help Russia will attempt to compete and confront NATO. Besides he thinks that Russia and Kazakhstan deliberately hinder appointment of Armenia's representative the CSTO Secretary General as these countries have their interests in Karabakh issue. "Armenia's representative may break the organization's "eternal silence" on Karabakh issue. Besides, it is easier for Russia to control its own candidate on the position rather than a representative from other country", he noted. At the same time the MP expressed assurance that CSTO can in no way ensure Armenia's security.
According to MP Tevan Poghosyan one should not make tragedy because of regular postponement of rotation on CSTO Secretary General's position. "This is an artificial structure, consequently one should be concerned whether Armenia's candidate will hold the position or not", he stated. At the same time Poghosyan added that he does not see any "plot" against Armenia in this issue, as delay of rotation is caused by complex geopolitical situation and the necessity to leave the Russian representative on the position for now. "Armenia and the Armenian officials should realize that they should rely on their own resources only, no one will defend us", he stressed.
To recall, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated on the sidelines of the CSTO Collective Security Council session on October 14 that the issue of CSTO Secretary General was taken off from the session agenda. At the same time he informed that the heads of CSTO member countries will return to this issue in the end of 2016 during the meeting in Russia. To note, earlier a decision was made that CSTO Secretary General will be appointed once in three years based on rotation considering the Russian alphabet. During the session in Yerevan Secretary General form Armenia should have been chosen. Names of various candidates have been announced. Serzh Sargsyan has chosen Secretary of Armenia's Security Council Yuri Khachaturov. However, one month ago Serzh Sargsyan announced in his inner circle that most likely there will be no rotation and this is even better for Armenia. According to the source the President stressed that in such a complex geopolitical situation Secretary General from Russia meets Armenia's interests.