Vlaams Belang is concerned about the fate of Armenia now that that country has decided to withdraw its membership of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to freeze. “Russia only protected Armenia on paper, which we saw through the passivity of their peacekeeping force when Azerbaijan annexed Nagorno-Karabakh,” says MP Ellen Samyn. “But Now that this protection is completely lost, the country will find itself isolated between its hostile neighbors Turkey and Azerbaijan.”
Since Azerbaijan’s war of aggression put an end to the autonomous Armenian Republic of Artsakh, tensions between Armenia and patron Russia have continued to rise. “Moscow had stationed a peacekeeping force in the middle of Artsakh to stop the Azeris aggression and monitor a ceasefire,” Samyn continues, “But the Russians, like the West, stood on the sidelines watching the Azeris advanced further and overran the entire area.”
“This decision obviously has important geopolitical consequences”
Dissatisfied with Russia’s lack of protection within the CSTO, Armenia recently decided to freeze its membership in the organization. “This decision obviously has important geopolitical consequences,” Samyn continues. “Armenia is on its own and that will do nothing to reduce tensions.”
Vlaams Belang is also concerned by the answers that Minister Lahbib gave to Samyn’s questions in the most recent Foreign Affairs Committee. “She simply referred to the current collaboration, which means very little,” Samyn concludes. “We call on the government and Europe to support Armenia diplomatically and to stop financing the aggressor Azerbaijan with gas deals, as is unfortunately happening now.”
