ArmInfo.There are three important messages in the CSTO statement due to recent events at Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Edward Sharmazanov, the Vice Speaker of Armenian Parliament and the Leader of Armenian Delegation to CSTO stated in this conversation with ArmInfo reporter.
"The first important message is exactly the fact of the statement. In essence, this is the first statement made by CSTO, clearly mentioning the side that has initiated this aggression .The second is that this time CSTO gives a clear evaluation of Azerbaijan actions, calling the border events as "provocation". And the third and the main message is that this is the first time Arstakh is titled as Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the document of such an essential international entity, like CSTO is. I think all these facts state that the external/foreign course taken by Yerevan is accepted by our partners and whole the international community," the expert accentuated.
The CSTO statement due to the situation at Armenian-Azerbaijani border particularly reads, that "CSTO secretariat is concerned about the information regarding the armed incident near the Chinari village of the Repabulic of Armenia. We accept these actions held at the territory of the CSTO member country as a provocation, especially -taking into consideration an April events in Nagornoi-Karabakh Republic, when heavy weapons and artillery were launched. We had a hope that within the efforts of both sides of the conflict thje settlement process should be improved, but the latest information on regular cease fire violations, especially the incident of December 29, causes serious concerns."
On December 29 morning, at the south-east sector of the Armenian border, near the village of Chinari, Azerbaijani troops had initiated a diversion attempt, launching rocket mortars and sniper rifles. Armenian Army engaged the battle. Accoirding to the information shared by Artsrun Hovhannisyan, the Press Secretary of Armenian Defence Ministry, Leutenant Shavarsh Melikyan and privates Edgar Narayab and Eric Abovyan perished in the battle. According to Hovhannisyan, the enemy was thrown back leaving one body shot down at the battlefield. There is no more certain data about Azerbaijani losses. Armenian Defense Ministry has all the proof data on Azerbaijani violation of Armenian border. "All the liability for this diversion should be carried by Azerbaijani top governing units," Armenian Defence Ministry statement reads.