“Armenia is a full member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and has the right to get assistance from allies in case of negative developments on its territory. Armenia will get support from partners if necessary,” CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha said at the Yerevan-Moscow-Astana space bridge.
Asked by an Armenian journalist whether he ever sent an invitation to Azerbaijan to join the CSTO, Bordyuzha said: “I don’t remember having sent an invitation to Azerbaijan, although I think all countries should participate in the works of a security system.”
“The CSTO is ready to discuss the membership of any country – be it Iran, Georgia or Azerbaijan. Should Azerbaijan file an application to join the CSTO, we’ll discuss it, but will discuss with all member states, including Armenia,” Bordyuzha stated.
Asked by a Moscow-based Azerbaijani journalist what the CSTO is doing regarding the Karabakh conflict, the CSTO Secretary General said: “International mechanisms, including the Minsk Group, have been created to seek ways for the settlement of the conflict and find solutions acceptable to both parties. I’m more than assured that no other institutions should interfere.”
“We are well aware of the situation at the line of contact, we are aware of the ceasefire violations and the number of victims, but we have no right to interfere with the settlement process,” he added.
At the same time, the Secretary General added that “Armenia is a full member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and has the right to get assistance from allies in case of negative developments on its territory. Armenia will get support from partners if necessary.”