Stanislav Zas on the Situation at the Armenia-Azerbaijan Border

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) deems the decision of Armenia and Azerbaijan to begin delimitation and demarcation as a crucial step to prevent a recurrence of the current situation. In an interview with Armenpress, CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas stated this.

He noted that they are very concerned about the tense situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, where clashes and gunfire occur regularly, leading to casualties.

Speaking about the presence of Azerbaijani Armed Forces representatives in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, and how the CSTO regards this fact, Zas said they are closely monitoring the situation. “We believe that border disputes should be resolved only through political and diplomatic means and support the agreements enshrined in the trilateral statement of November 26 this year. Steps should be taken to enhance the level of stability and security along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, and to establish a bilateral commission on the delimitation and subsequent demarcation of the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with the support of the Russian Federation,” Zas stated.

In his opinion, measures for de-escalation of the situation are more necessary and urgent than ever. The CSTO Secretary General highlighted that they support the Armenian government’s efforts to resolve the current situation through political and diplomatic means, and consider this the only way out.

Zas emphasized that it is worth actively utilizing the opportunities of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship.

Commenting on the attacks that occurred in Syunik on November 16, Zas noted that after the escalation of the situation, a CSTO operational group was dispatched to Armenia. Led by Major General Hasan Kaloyev, the first deputy chief of the CSTO joint staff, this operational group included representatives from the CSTO Secretariat and operational staff, aimed at studying the situation, clarifying operational plans, and formulating recommendations.

Regarding the calls from Armenian MPs for decisive measures by the CSTO, the CSTO Secretary General stated that Yerevan has emphasized other mechanisms for resolving the situation.

It is noteworthy that Stanislav Zas will visit Armenia from December 22 to 24 to meet with the country's top political and military leadership. During his visit, a meeting is scheduled with the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, who is the current President of the CSTO Collective Security Council this year.