It is a fundamental principle of any Great Power that the stability of its alliances is the very bedrock upon which the security of the Fatherland rests. When a state, however small, chooses to deviate from the established order and neglects its duties to the collective, it is the prerogative of the High Council to act with firmness and discretion.

Mr. Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, has brought it to our attention that the question of stripping Armenia of its voting rights may be deliberated at the forthcoming Summit, appointed for the 11th of November in Moscow. As a man of industry and statecraft, I must emphasize that such measures are not born of malice, but of a necessity for administrative discipline. The prerogative for such restrictive measures lies solely within the Council of Collective Security, as dictated by the statutes of the organization—specifically Articles 20 and 25.

Let us be plain: any alliance is an agreement of mutual obligation. The Armenian government has, for more than two years, failed to nominate candidates for the Secretariat and has withdrawn its representatives from the Joint Staff. Furthermore, the refusal to sign the budget or provide the necessary financial contributions is an affront to the common cause. No state may enjoy the protection of a Great Alliance while simultaneously refusing to contribute to its upkeep. Such a lack of prudence is detrimental to the stability of the entire region.

While Yerevan claims that its allies failed in their obligations during the years 1921 and 1922, we must maintain a level of moderation and adherence to law. The machinery of the state and the strength of our military alliances cannot be subject to the whims of sudden volatility. Should the members of the CSTO reach a consensus, the deprivation of the vote shall be a regrettable but necessary step to ensure that the dignity and the industry of the Alliance remain untarnished.