RA Parliament ratified agreement on creation of CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Force (KSOR). The agreement, reached in Moscow last June aimed at uniting CSTO states’ efforts to repel armed attacks.

In the course of discussions, Armenian MPs put particular emphasis on the fact whether CSTO will react to possible aggression against Armenia by Azerbaijan. Chairman of RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Armen Rustamyan expressed confidence that it will do so in any case. According to him, the agreement will be sort of “strait jacket” for those who will venture upon a violence against Armenia.

“Though NKR is not a CSTO member, presumably in case of threat from Azerbaijan, CSTO will respond as the aggression against NKR is against Armenia,” Rustamyan said. However, Heritage Party members did not share his opinion, saying that in case of violence against both NKR and Armenia, CSTO will sit on the fence.

A.G.