The Escalation of Tensions in Southern Armenia is a 'Border Incident' and Does Not Comply with the CSTO Charter Provisions - Stanislav Zas

The escalation of tensions in southern Armenia, related to the establishment of new borders with Azerbaijan, is classified as a 'border incident' and does not comply with the provisions of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) charter regarding collective defense. This was stated by the organization’s Secretary General Stanislav Zas during a press conference, as reported by TASS.

“It should be understood that the CSTO’s resources are used only in the event of aggression or attack against one of the member states. Here, we are essentially dealing with a border incident. Thank God, there are no casualties, no gunfire. This is a border incident, it needs to be resolved, and we are in favor of resolving it peacefully,” he said.

According to his assessment, there is no escalation of conflict. “We are not forced to say that the situation is somehow escalating. This is already a positive aspect, this is already a result. A lot of work lies ahead regarding the resolution of the border issues and all these contentious matters, but they need to be addressed at the negotiating table,” Zas noted.

The CSTO Secretary General also informed that the organization has conducted consultations regarding the situation in Armenia's border areas following the May appeal from Armenia. “Such consultations have been held at the level of defense ministers and security council secretaries, and I have contacted both the Armenian foreign minister and the defense minister. We have discussed this situation. Moreover, we also discussed this situation in the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting that took place in Dushanbe,” he said.

Zas assured that the CSTO is constantly monitoring the situation in southern Armenia. “A decision has not been made regarding the establishment of a monitoring group, although, of course, the situation is being controlled,” the Secretary General stated. He added that the organization obtains necessary information from numerous sources, including from the Armenian side and Russian peacekeepers.