July 30, 2020 - 11:22 AMT
Yerevan won't allow Turkish military inspectors in Armenia

Armenia will suspend military inspections by Turkey and guest inspectors from Turkey under the CFE treaty and the Vienna Document on the territory of the Republic of Armenia, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, July 30.

When Azerbaijan attacked Armenia's Tavush province on July 12, Turkey resorted to unprecedented threats against Armenia and unilateral support to Azerbaijan. The holding of joint Turkey-Azerbaijan large-scale military exercises further escalates the situation, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"On July 29, the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the OSCE circulated a Note Verbale informing the OSCE participating States and State Parties to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, that the Republic of Armenia will suspend military inspections by Turkey and guest inspectors from Turkey under the CFE treaty and the Vienna Document on the territory of the Republic of Armenia," the statement added.

According to the Note Verbale, the decision is based upon the principles enshrined in the CFE Treaty and Vienna Document and derives from Armenia’s security interests and concerns, the Foreign Ministry added.

"Any military inspection conducted on the territory of Armenia by Turkey, which has been openly supporting Azerbaijan’s military operations against Armenia and resorting to unprecedented threats, particularly since July 12, will adversely impact the security interests of Armenia and may undermine the security of its population," the statement continued.

"Armenia remains committed to the implementation of the CFE Treaty and Vienna Document, underlining that only military inspections by Turkey and participation of guest inspectors from Turkey on the territory of Armenia are a subject of this suspension."