Pashinyan touts CSTO monitoring mission along Armenian-Azeri border

PanARMENIAN.Net - Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has proposed that the CSTO deploy a monitoring mission along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Addressing a Cabinet meeting on July 29, Pashinyan said such a mission could be one way of finding out the reality behind mutual accusations from Armenia and Azerbaijan. Pashinyan noted that Azerbaijan not only continues to illegally stay on the territory of Armenia, but also takes provocative actions, trying to discredit the CSTO system.

“Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of alleged provocations. As a member of the CSTO, which in September will assume the chairmanship of the organization, Armenia understands its responsibility in not dragging its CSTO allies into hostilities. I officially rule out provocative actions on the part of the Armenian Armed Forces," the acting PM said.

According to him, in case a CSTO mission is impossible, internationally recognized other formats, including the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group, may be acceptable.

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. Two Armenian servicemen have been killed in Azerbaijan’s shooting, several others have been wounded, while six troops were captured on May 27, although four of them have already returned home.