Possibilities of political settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani border conflict not exhausted- CSTO secretary general
YEREVAN, August 10. /ARKA/. Possibilities of a political settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border conflict have not been exhausted and work in this direction must continue as part of the Armenia-Azerbaijan-Russia format, Secretary General of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Stanislav Zas said today in Yerevan.
The CSTO Secretary General’s comment came in response to a question about what kind of proposals have been developed by the CSTO to resolve the border crisis and why the organization does not give a clear assessment of incidents on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Armenpress reported.
“We are monitoring the situation on the border with the help of the state structures of Armenia. Of course, we believe that the incidents on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border pose a security threat to the Caucasus region and, of course, to Armenia, which is a member of the CSTO. Regarding the ways of solving the problem, we think that the possibilities of a political solution are not exhausted. In fact, it would be the best option for everyone," Zas said at press briefing during a visit to one of the military units of the Armenian Armed Forces in the Ararat region.
“We are seriously concerned about the recent escalation of border clashes, which complicate the implementation of the cornerstone agreements reached between the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia to end the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and find ways to establish peace in the region. We expect all parties to understand this and take steps to resolve their differences through political means," he added.
Tensions at some sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border rose after Azerbaijani troops’ incursion into Armenian provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik in early May. Armenia asked the CSTO to invoke Article 2 of the treaty which commits the bloc to discussing a collective response to grave security threats facing its member states. However, the CSTO ignored the request.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan proposed on July 29 that Russian border guards be deployed along the entire length of the border with Azerbaijan. Earlier this month it emerged Russia has set up one such post in Armenia’s Tavush province bordering western Azerbaijan.
During a meeting with Zas on August 9 Armenian Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan said the Armenian side could use force to drive out Azerbaijani forces that crossed into Syunik and Gegharkunik.-0-
