“They had the opportunity to withdraw from the CSTO with one signature, are they afraid?” Samvel Karapetyan (Video)

Armenia’s dependence on Russia is currently at its highest level, stated Samvel Karapetyan, the prime ministerial candidate of the “Strong Armenia” party, during a press conference in response to a question from Aysor.am.

“If you think that today Armenia lives and develops at the expense of its own budget, you are sorely mistaken. This has nothing to do with the Armenian authorities; it comes entirely from foreign transfers,” he said.

“I understand that Russia has been and will continue to be our strategic ally and main economic partner. We have no other option today; this cannot be turned off by pressing a ‘button’,” he noted, adding that over time Armenia may expand into new markets and reduce dependence.

Speaking about Armenia’s membership in the CSTO, he said:

“When the current authorities make statements wearing ‘diapers’, I don’t even want to comment on it.”

“They had the opportunity to withdraw from the CSTO with one signature – why didn’t they do it? Are they afraid?” he asked.

Karapetyan also stated that Armenia does not currently have an alternative structure for military cooperation.