While speaking to RIA Novosti news agency, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has avoided responding to the query on his country joining the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Asked whether Azerbaijan was negotiating with the CSTO member countries with respect to it becoming a member in this organization, the FM replied that his country was conducting a balanced foreign policy.

“Based on that very starting point, we [Azerbaijan] are developing an active bilateral dialogue and mutually beneficial equitable cooperation with all CSTO member countries,” Mammadyarov added. “Except for Armenia, of course.”