Armenia should first of all use its own forces for ensuring its security, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said on January 26 in Yerevan, answering to the question of poor response of CSTO to Azerbaijan's aggression.
"CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha has repeatedly given detail evaluation and talked about the organization's stand on the issue of ensuring Armenia's security in case of aggression. I have also stated on various occasions that first and foremost Armenian Armed Forces should respond to such actions and they do it on the due level", the Defense Minister noted.
In this context he added that Bordyuzha is currently in Yerevan and will hold meetings with the country's authorities. "On January 28 Bordyuzha will also participate in the events dedicated to the 24th anniversary of Armenia's Armed Forces. Our bilateral meeting will also take place, during which a wide range of issues will be discussed including those related to cooperation within CSTO", Ohanyan noted.
Answering to the question that information has been spread about intentions to change the format of CSTO Ohanyan emphasized that Armenia is a full-fledged member of the organization and conducts serious work for strengthening the organization's authority.
"Armenia in recent years has actively worked on improving military component and potential of the organization, military committee has been formed by our proposal, and events for enlargement of organization's forces and capacities in various fields are prepared. This year Armenia chairs in CSTO. We want to see CSTO as strong, powerful and comprehensive organization, which will assist Armenia, a country that does not have common borders with other members", Armenia's Defense Minister summarized.