Mher Grigoryan: Azerbaijan`s aggressive policy is aimed at  frustrating efforts to establish peace in the region

ArmInfo. In the conditions of observed economic shocks within the CIS, in the meantime while we are adopting documents on measures to respond to emerging problems,  developing methods aimed at mitigating the impact of the current  economic situation for the well-being of the citizens of our states,  a CIS member country launched an unprovoked and absolutely illegal  large-scale aggression against a sovereign territory of the Republic  of Armenia. 

RA Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan stated this in his speech at  a regular meeting of the CIS Economic Council in Moscow.  He recalled  that on the night of September 12-13, 2022, the armed forces of  Azerbaijan attacked the eastern and southeastern parts of Armenia, in  fact, directly encroaching on the territorial integrity of the  Republic.  The aggression was carried out with the use of artillery,  mortars and unmanned aerial vehicles, and not only the combat  positions of Armenia were fired upon, but also civilian  infrastructure in the direction of the settlements of Sotk, Vardenis,  Jermuk, Goris, Kapan, Artanish and Ishkhanasar of Gegharkunik, Vayots  Dzor and Syunik regions. There is evidence of torture, dismemberment,  illegal killing by Azerbaijanis of captured Armenian soldiers. As a  result of the aggression, the number of killed and missing persons  reaches 207, including civilians. There are partially or completely  destroyed 192 residential buildings, as well as hotels, schools, a  medical facility and other civilian facilities. As early as September  2, 2022, the Azerbaijani side began to spread "fake" news with  unfounded accusations of alleged violations of the ceasefire by the  Armenian side, with the clear goal of providing favorable information  grounds for the implementation of their aggressive aspirations.

"We regularly received and continue to receive information about  military air transportation from Turkey to Azerbaijan. From September  5-9, the Turkish and Azerbaijani Air Forces conducted joint  exercises, the declared task of which was to destroy air and ground  targets of a conventional enemy. The far-fetched accusations of the  Azerbaijani side of dragging out any processes, works or negotiations  by Armenia are unacceptable. Armenia implemented all the provisions  of the statements of November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26,  2021 in a timely and detailed manner and conducted negotiations in a  constructive way.  The aggressive policy pursued by Azerbaijan,  taking into account the situation around Ukraine, is aimed at  disrupting efforts to establish peace in the region. The aggression  of Azerbaijan against the sovereign territory of the Republic of  Armenia in violation of the internationally recognized borders of the  Republic of Armenia is also aimed at disrupting the work of the  Commission on State Border Delimitation and Border Security between  Armenia and Azerbaijan and the State Commission on State Border  Delimitation between Azerbaijan and Armenia. 

The assertion that Azerbaijan has the right to occupy the sovereign  territory of the Republic of Armenia only because there is no  delimited border is absolutely groundless. 

The Republic of Armenia, taking into account the seriousness of the  situation, decided to apply to the CSTO and the UN Security Council.   We expect that effective measures will be taken, primarily by the  CSTO. We demand that Azerbaijan immediately take all the necessary  measures and actions for a complete ceasefire, as well as to return  its armed forces' formations to their initial positions and  immediately release the Armenian prisoners of war.