CSTO’s silence does not mean we are not implementing our function in organization: Armenia’s FM

The CSTO is the establishment where we ensure our united security, Armenia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said at a briefing today.

To the question why the CSTO has not responded to killing of Armenian soldier by the Azerbaijani shooting on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the FM said, “We are working in that direction. CSTO’s responding or not responding does not mean that we are not implementing our function in this organization.”

Yesterday Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tigran Balayan referred to the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

“Recently, Azerbaijan has been continuously shelling the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, targeting and damaging the settlements, civilian institutions and civilian populations of border villages,” the spokesperson said.

“As a result of the shots released from the Azerbaijani side, an Armenian serviceman, private Haykaz Matevosyan has been killed. We express our deepest condolences to the family, relatives and fellow servicemen of the fallen soldier and assure that we will continue to work decisively to establish peace,” Balayan continued.

“The actions of Baku aimed at escalation of the situation, accompanied by bellicose rhetoric, undermine efforts by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair states and the international community to create an environment conducive to peace. We strongly condemn Azerbaijan’s actions and draw the attention of the international community, firstly the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair states, to the urgent necessity to curb Azerbaijan and put it on the constructive path in order to prevent the escalation of the situation,” Balayan stated.