CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha acted as a journalist, rather than a head of a military institution when commenting on Azerbaijani statements on shooting down Stepanakert-bound civil airplanes, former Armenian ambassador to Canada said.

Ara Papian stressed the need for Bordyuzha to issue a clear statement suggesting CSTO would impose sanctions if Baku used military force against an ally.

CSTO head earlier described the Azerbaijani law allowing shooting down the objects crossing Azeri airspace, including civil planes, as a “bad joke”.

“It’s either incorrect wording, or a bad joke because I perceive Azerbaijan as a civilized country adhering to universal norms. I don’t think that any country believes itself authorized to shoot down a civil aircraft. So, I don’t take the information seriously,” CSTO Secretary General said.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov also commented on CSTO Secretary General’s statement.

“Azerbaijan will not allow illegal flights over its airspace. It’s not in Azerbaijan’s plans to shoot down civil aircrafts. There are certain rules in line with Chicago Convention and Azerbaijan recognizes these rules. In order to prevent illegal flights, these rules envisage forcing the aircraft to land in certain airdrome,” Azimov said.