On 26 May, a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CSTO member states was held via video conference.
The foreign ministers discussed a wide range of issues related to strengthening cooperation within the CSTO framework, international and regional developments, and joint responses to contemporary security challenges and threats.
In his remarks, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to deepening interaction within the Organisation, aimed at increasing the effectiveness of foreign policy coordination, strengthening the defence component, and mechanisms for responding to threats and challenges.
Referring to the challenges facing the international community caused by the spread of the new-type coronavirus, Minister Mnatsakanyan noted, in particular:
«In the fight against the pandemic and its consequences, unified and coordinated action by the international community is necessary. We express our full solidarity with our allies in the fight against the pandemic and are ready to work side by side in all directions to overcome all negative consequences and ensure the sustainable development of our states».
In this context, Minister Mnatsakanyan, among other decisions, highlighted the adoption of the foreign ministers’ statement on supporting the UN Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire under the conditions of the new-type coronavirus pandemic.
«Our states were among the first to express their full solidarity and support for UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for a global ceasefire in different parts of the world.
In this regard, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that, contrary to the unified understanding of the world community that it is necessary to establish a universal ceasefire and focus efforts on overcoming the pandemic and its consequences, our eastern neighbour Azerbaijan does not abandon its maximalist approaches and belligerent rhetoric. The ceasefire regime on the line of contact is being violated, provocations continue on the border, which pose a threat to the security of the civilian population».
In this context, the RA Foreign Minister referred to the large-scale tactical exercises of an offensive nature conducted by Azerbaijan from 18 to 22 May, in violation of international commitments — the Vienna Document. The RA Foreign Minister stressed that such actions, which undermine regional stability and seriously damage the peace process, must be duly condemned.
The head of Armenia’s foreign policy department also reaffirmed the commitment of the newly elected authorities of Armenia and Artsakh to the exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship.
«We categorically rule out the use of force or the threat of force and continue our constructive participation in the peace process, whose potential cannot be fully realised without the participation of the people of Artsakh and an equivalent compromise by all sides».
In his remarks, Minister Mnatsakanyan also touched upon the unfolding events in the Middle East, emphasising the need to protect religious and national minorities.
At the end of the Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting, joint statements were adopted «On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War», «On support for the UN Secretary-General’s call to establish a universal ceasefire in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic», «On solidarity and mutual understanding in the fight against the coronavirus infection» and «On reaffirming commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter».
