Sargsyan: escalation of tension by Azerbaijan is a serious challenge to EEU security
31.05.2016,
18:50
Speaking today at a session of the Supreme Council of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in Astana, Kazakhstan, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan said escalation of tension by Azerbaijan in early April along the line of contact between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azeri troops has become a serious challenge to the security of the EEU space.
YEREVAN, 31 May. /ARKA/. Speaking today at a session of the Supreme Council of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in Astana, Kazakhstan, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan said escalation of tension by Azerbaijan in early April along the line of contact between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azeri troops has become a serious challenge to the security of the EEU space.
According to Sargsyan, integration associations operate successfully and develop only in a secure environment.
"Safety is a basic element of economic development and prosperity of our countries. I think it is extremely important that the countries which are members of the Eurasian Economic Union are also members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), whose main aim is to ensure comprehensive security in our space," said Sargsyan.
According to him, the risk is obvious: either the Eurasian Economic Union space is looked upon by international partners as a zone of economic development, stability and security, where they can invest and build long-term plans, either all proceed from the fact that there are permanent hotbeds of tension and contention there.
"I do not think the second scenario stems from the interests of our countries," said Sargsyan.
He added that Armenia can not stay aside in case of Azerbaijan's aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh. "Of course, Karabakh self-defense forces have restored order and took control of the situation. An important role was played by Russia, which was requested by Azerbaijan to restore the ceasefire," he said.
He said Armenia intends to consistently work towards the implementation of agreements achieved during the meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in Vienna on May 16, where the presidents agreed to work out safeguards against ceasefire violations around Nagorno-Karabakh and resume their search for a compromise peace deal.
He added that Armenia will continue the search for a peaceful settlement of the conflict based first of all on the right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to handle their own destiny.
‘Armenia agrees with the co-chairs of the Minsk Group that the right of people to self-determination, as well as the non-use of force or the threat of it, as well as the principle of territorial integrity are the basic elements for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,’ Sargsyan is quoted as saying by his press service.-0-
According to Sargsyan, integration associations operate successfully and develop only in a secure environment.
"Safety is a basic element of economic development and prosperity of our countries. I think it is extremely important that the countries which are members of the Eurasian Economic Union are also members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), whose main aim is to ensure comprehensive security in our space," said Sargsyan.
According to him, the risk is obvious: either the Eurasian Economic Union space is looked upon by international partners as a zone of economic development, stability and security, where they can invest and build long-term plans, either all proceed from the fact that there are permanent hotbeds of tension and contention there.
"I do not think the second scenario stems from the interests of our countries," said Sargsyan.
He added that Armenia can not stay aside in case of Azerbaijan's aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh. "Of course, Karabakh self-defense forces have restored order and took control of the situation. An important role was played by Russia, which was requested by Azerbaijan to restore the ceasefire," he said.
He said Armenia intends to consistently work towards the implementation of agreements achieved during the meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in Vienna on May 16, where the presidents agreed to work out safeguards against ceasefire violations around Nagorno-Karabakh and resume their search for a compromise peace deal.
He added that Armenia will continue the search for a peaceful settlement of the conflict based first of all on the right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to handle their own destiny.
‘Armenia agrees with the co-chairs of the Minsk Group that the right of people to self-determination, as well as the non-use of force or the threat of it, as well as the principle of territorial integrity are the basic elements for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,’ Sargsyan is quoted as saying by his press service.-0-
