CSTO chief expresses "serious concern" over Armenian-Azeri escalationJuly 29, 2021 - 19:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Stanislav Zas, Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) – a military alliance of which Armenia is a member – has expressed "serious concern" about the danger of further escalation of tension on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to a statement from the organization. In the wee hours of July 28, the Azerbaijani armed forces attacked the Armenian positions in Gegharkunik province, triggering local battles. Three Armenian troops were killed, five others were wounded in the process, the Defense Ministry said, adding that the Azerbaijani forces have been thwarted back to their positions. The Azerbaijanis fired on Armenian positions on July 29 too, injuring one more soldier. Zas maintained that further escalation could negatively affect the implementation of the trilateral statement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia on November 10, 2020. "We consider the use of force unacceptable. To resolve contradictions, only political and diplomatic methods should be used," Zas added, welcoming Russia's efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation in the region. Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. Partner news | Russia clarifying reports on Baku’s alleged arms supply to Ukraine Russia says is carefully working to verify reports about alleged arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. Armenia to sing in 2nd semi-final of Eurovision The organizers of Eurovision 2024 have revealed the running order of the countries in the two semi-finals. |