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The Armenian representative is ready to continue fulfilling the duties of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) secretary general, Acting Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan told reporters.

“Armenia is ready to continue fulfilling the CSTO secretary general’s duties, i.e. to appoint a new representative to the post,” he said, according to RIA Novosti.

The official reminded that the organization’s Charter doesn’t envisage regulations for the termination of the CSTO chief’s duties before his/her term in office expires.

“Such a process is needed,” he added.

Meantime, the acting minister said there are no preconditions for Armenia to withdraw from the CSTO – neither geopolitical, nor military-political or strategic.

“Armenia is the co-founder of this organization and discussions of problematic issues are normal within the CSTO,” he said.

As reported earlier, Yuri Khachaturov was relieved of his duties as CSTO Secretary General on 2 November after being charged with overthrowing Armenia's constitutional order during the March 1-2, 2008 post-election events in Yerevan.

The CSTO is now set to elect a new secretary general at a summit in St. Petersburg on 6 December. Acting PM Nikol Pashinyan will reportedly represent Armenia at the CSTO leaders’ meeting.