YEREVAN. - “Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, Secretary General of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Nikolay Bordyuzha stated at the international conference “CSTO and the South Caucasus: prospects for peace and security in the region” in Yerevan on Thursday.

He pointed out to the inadmissibility of the current situation in the contact line of the Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces, where up to 50 people die every year and huge amounts of money is being spent on military needs. The CSTO Secretary also noted the possible aggravation of the situation in the South Caucasus due to Azerbaijan’s increasing military rhetoric.

“CSTO opposes any plans and attempts to solve the conflict by force,” Bordyuzha stressed, pointing to the importance of resolving conflicts on the basis of international law. In this regard, he emphasized the importance of the principle of non-use of force. 

“CSTO stands for seeking solutions within the existing format. The efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and the Russian President contribute to advancing the negotiation process,” Bordyuzha noted, indicating the danger of attempts to shift the negotiation process to different formats. 

He also stressed the unacceptability of the isolation of the state, as it violates the principle of equal security.