Victor Biagov Calls on Allies to Show 'Solidarity and Mutual Support' at CSTO Meeting

On July 14, a meeting of the CSTO Permanent Council took place, during which Armenia's permanent and authorized representative to the CSTO, Victor Biagov, delivered a speech. The press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on this.

The message states that the Armenian representative detailed the situation that has worsened due to Azerbaijani aggression beginning on July 12 along the northeastern direction of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, including the targeting of civilian infrastructure and the population by Azerbaijan.

Biagov noted that Azerbaijani armed forces are shelling civilian infrastructure in the Armenian villages of Chinari and Aygepar, leading to damage to civilian facilities. “According to reports, in recent hours, drones have also shelled civilian infrastructure in the city of Berd,” he said.

Recently, as Biagov pointed out, the Azerbaijani side, contrary to the calls from the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to refrain from provocative actions and to strengthen the ceasefire regime, as well as against the UN Secretary-General's call for establishing a global ceasefire supported by CSTO member states, has continued to issue threats of the use of force and military escalation, even attempting to implement them.

“The entire responsibility for the escalation of the situation in the CSTO responsibility zone lies with the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan,” he stated.

In the context of the need to maintain regional security and stability, Armenia's permanent representative Biagov drew the attention of CSTO member states' representatives to the statement by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing that Armenia strongly condemns Turkey's attempts to instigate instability in our region.

“The current situation is a serious cause for concern and attention for the entire organization and each of its members, as there is an attempt to conduct outright aggression against one of the organization's members within its responsibility zone. We call on our allies to show solidarity and mutual support in accordance with the spirit and letter of the CSTO Charter. This unprecedented situation is becoming a significant test for each of us, as well as for the organization,” the Armenian representative said.

The Armenian Permanent Representation will continue to work within the framework of the CSTO regarding the current situation, the message stated. Earlier, the CSTO expressed serious concern regarding the escalation of the situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, calling on the parties to immediately cease fire.