From 11 to 15 March 2019, Azerbaijan’s army is planning large-scale military drills of an offensive nature. However, within the scope of the document signed in Vienna, the participating countries have not been notified about this. Spokesman of the Ministry of Defense Artsrun Hovhannisyan has issued a statement on this on his Facebook page, assuming that the military drills have been organized in the context of the Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting and is an attempt for pressure.

NEWS.am presents the text of the statement in its entirety:

“Pursuant to sub-point 40.1.1 of Chapter 5 of the Vienna Document 2011, military activity will be subject to notification whenever it involves at any time during the activity:

1. at least 9,000 troops, including support troops, or

2. at least 250 battle tanks, or

3. at least 500 ACVs, or

4. at least 250 self-propelled and towed artillery pieces, mortars and multiple rocket-launchers (100 mm caliber and above).

During discussions on upgrading the Vienna Document 2011, the countries agreed to notify the military activity that is not prescribed by ceilings, but is deemed to be the largest (ceilings don’t work here) because there are rarely countries that carry out large-scale military activities.

At the same time, pursuant to the requirements in point 66 of Part VII of the Vienna Document 2011, information on military activities subject to prior notification not included in an annual calendar will be communication to all participating States as soon as possible, in accordance with the model provided in the annual calendar.

I would like to inform that, in the period between 11 and 15 March, the armed forces of the Republic of Artsakh envisage holding the large-scale military activity with the following:

1. personnel: 10,000 troops,

2. up to 500 battle tanks and other ACVs,

3. at least 300 self-propelled and towed artillery pieces, mortars and multiple rocket-launchers,

4. more than 20 military planes and helicopters for army aviation.

The military drills will be offensive. The objectives of the military drills are:

-prepare troops for attacks,

-attack the conditional adversary in several directions, violating the alignment of defense and the military,

-cause rocket and artillery strikes to the adversary, eliminating major military and strategic structures of the adversary,

-test new types of arms and equipment.

I would like to inform that, based on the annual information provided within the scope of the Vienna Document 2011, the Republic of Azerbaijan has not notified the participating countries of the aforementioned military activity and, in such cases, pursuant to the aforementioned point, the Republic of Azerbaijan is obliged to notify about this as soon as possible, but the Republic of Azerbaijan has not sent a notification on the conduct of military activity through the OSCE information network.

Conclusion:

It is assumed that these military drills are organized in the context of the Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting and an attempt for pressure, in response to the statements that Armenia will not concede any territory of the liberated territories to Azerbaijan.”