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Minsk sees resolution of conflict between Baku, Yerevan as its CSTO priority — Lukashenko

He said Russia is currently carrying out an intermediary mission in the matter, with the consent of both Armenia and Azerbaijan

MINSK, November 23. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday said that his country’s presidency in the Collective Security Treaty Organization will seek the resolution of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia as one of its priorities.

"There are nuances, and serious ones, maybe, but we can resolve this conflict, which may flare up again, now," he said at a meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council, the BelTA news service reported. However, he said that would only be feasible "if the leadership of Armenia, first of all, and naturally, Azerbaijan wish so."

"This is one of the priorities of the Belarusian presidency. We shouldn’t close our eyes to this. Whether we can solve this problem or not, it should be in the focus of the CSTO's attention," the president said.

He said Russia is currently carrying out an intermediary mission in the matter, with the consent of both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"Let's move in that direction. Let's come to an agreement, let's do everything so that people do not die there. This would be received with content in the Armenian and Azerbaijani societies," he said. "But in this context I don’t understand - maybe someone will explain - why the European Union and the OSCE are concerned with this conflict, in addition to Russia, which is involved in mediation?"

Lukashenko warned against improper involvement.

"That would prompt the conflict to at least be frozen again for many years ahead. They don’t need stability and peace in our region, all they need is devastation that they will manage," the president said.

Lukashenko said that the conflict on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is "part of the same story".

Tags

Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus CSTO Alexander Lukashenko

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