CSTO vows to take action as Azerbaijan refuses to withdraw from Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Collective Security Treaty Organization will take measures, if necessary, depending on how the situation with Azerbaijan's crossing into Armenian soil develops, according to a statement from the CSTO.

On the morning of May 12, the armed forces of Azerbaijan violated the border of Armenia in the southern province of Syunik, advancing 3.5 kilometers and surrounding Sev Lake, which is situated on the border between the two countries but is predominantly a part of Armenia.

CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas discussed the matter with Acting Minister of Defense of Armenia Vagharshak Harutyunyan and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Ara Aivazian.

"The CSTO is closely following the development of the situation in the border regions of the Syunik province of Armenia. As the situation develops, if necessary, measures will be taken under the provisions of the Collective Security Treaty and the CSTO Charter," the statement said.

The Permanent Representative of Armenia to the CSTO Viktor Biyagov earlier provided details about Azerbaijan's provocation in Armenia's Syunik province to the organization. He stressed that if Azerbaijan fails to withdraw its troops from the Armenian soil within reasonable time frames, the responsibility for escalation will rest with Baku.