Armenia can count on necessary assistance when applying to the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said.

His remarks came during a conference “Collective Security in a New Era: Experience and Prospects of the CSTO”.

According to him, when there is a critical situation and a "backed up assessment of the situation", as was the case in Kazakhstan, it is possible to respond just as quickly to an official appeal from an ally.

Pankin added that there is no question of equidistance between the allies and the other neighbour. According to him, allies are always closer than everyone else.

CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas said the same: "If Armenia officially applies for CSTO assistance, it will be provided".

Zas added that if there is no such confidence, the organization simply will not exist.