If the Situation on Our Borders is Not Resolved Peacefully, We Reserve the Right to Use Force to Solve the Issue: Defense Minister to Zas

On August 9, Armenian Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan hosted Stanislav Zas, the Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), who arrived in Armenia on a working visit, according to the Ministry of Defense press service.

Welcoming the guest, the Defense Minister stated, "We were looking forward to your visit since May. That was quite a tense period for Armenia, but unfortunately, your visit did not take place. Today, a stable heavy situation has formed on our borders. In May, Azerbaijani armed forces invaded Armenian territories in two directions. This deeply concerns us. We are supporters of peace. We do not want to escalate the situation at our borders under any circumstances. However, we are not ready to tolerate actions that may lead to violations of the state border of Armenia. We will fiercely defend our territories. We, of course, strive to resolve this issue peacefully, demonstrating our peaceful intentions. At the same time, our patience is not infinite, and in the absence of a peaceful resolution to the situation we face at our borders, we reserve the right to resolve the issue by the use of force.

Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan expressed regret that the decision-making and crisis response mechanisms within the CSTO do not meet the current operational demands.

The Defense Minister also informed the Secretary-General about the conceptual approaches of Armenia's presidency in the CSTO, emphasizing that increasing the organization's effectiveness and improving its operations, as well as issues related to the further development of the CSTO's military component, will be among the Armenian side's priorities.

Stanislav Zas congratulated the Armenian Defense Minister on assuming high state office. Subsequently, the CSTO Secretary-General informed the Armenian Defense Minister about the planned joint session of the Committee of Foreign Ministers, Defense Ministers, and Security Council Secretaries on September 15 in Dushanbe and the convening of the Collective Security Council on September 16, during which the CSTO presidency will pass to the Republic of Armenia.