Armenia: CSTO statements could have encouraged Azerbaijan's provocation

PanARMENIAN.Net - Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan believes the shootout provoked by Azerbaijan in Armenia's border areas on July 5 may have been influenced by "some statements coming from the CSTO".

Grigoryan was referring to a statement from the CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas who described the Azerbaijani military's incursion into Armenia as a "border incident" which he said does not fall under the provisions of the CSTO charter on collective defense.

"This (the border shootout - Ed.) is a provocation organized by Azerbaijan, which led to us having two wounded soldiers," Grigoryan said in an interview with the Public Television of Armenia on July 6.

"Our main concern in connection with Mr. Zas's interview was caused by the fear that non-constructive statements could have negative consequences for the peace process."

According to him, "such statements give Azerbaijan grounds for provocations."

"Therefore, we began consultations to rule such statements in the future," Grigoryan said. He added that the situation on the border with Azerbaijan is still fragile, but efforts are being made to stabilize the situation and create conditions to eliminate such incidents.

Azerbaijani forces violated Armenia’s border in several sections in the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik on May 12 and 13 and are still refusing to withdraw their troops from the area. One Armenian serviceman was killed in Azerbaijan’s shooting on May 25, six troops were captured on May 27, although four of them have already returned home.