Azerbaijan is showing an interest in cooperation with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), reports News.am citing Azerbaijani media.

“On July 1, the CSTO PA [(Parliamentary Assembly)] meeting was held in Dushanbe. At the meeting, a decision was made to establish an institution of CSTO partner states. The corresponding proposal was submitted by the chairman of the Russian State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin.

A historic decision has been made. Volodin specifically noted that the partners will not have a decisive voice in the CSTO organizations, but will have the right to participate in the preparation of documents and the development of collective decisions. He stated that a number of countries are showing an interest in cooperation within the organization.

Leonid Kalashnikov, Chairman of the Committee for [CIS Affairs,] Eurasian Integration [and Relations with Compatriots] of the State Duma, named the countries aspiring to the status of partner country. Among them, he mentioned Azerbaijan and Pakistan,” reports Azerbaijan’s Haqqin.az.

To note, Armenia is a member in the CSTO.