Statement by the Delegation of Armenia on "Conventional arms control and confidence- and security-building measures: challenges and opportunities" delivered at the 2020 Annual Security Review Conference

25 June, 2020

Mr. Moderator,

The Delegation of Armenia would like to join others in thanking our keynote speakers for their insightful presentations.

Conventional arms control and confidence and security building measures have always been the cornerstone of the OSCE’s comprehensive and co-operative security. These are unique instruments aimed at increasing trust, transparency and predictability and thus, reducing the risk of conflicts or escalation of tensions.

The existing threats and challenges in the OSCE area, such as regional crises, conflicts and tensions remind us of the raison d’être of conventional arms control and CSBMs. Thus, full implementation of the provisions of the legally binding CFE treaty and politically binding Vienna document, as well as other CSBMs are of particular importance to dispel existing tensions and strengthen military predictability.

Over the years the OSCE participating States have developed also major changes to the Vienna document, such as those relating to risk reduction, military co-operation and inspections, as well as measures outside the scope of the Vienna Document.

In this regard we would like to recall the document on Stabilizing Measures for Localized Crisis Situation. This document which was elaborated in early 90s introduces a new generation of CSBMs for crisis situations, involving various actors and new tasks. The infrequent use or rejection to use this mechanism in situations when it can really contribute to stability indicates that for certain pSs imitating a desire to resolve the crisis is better than resolving it. This is a clear indicator that instead of developing new mechanisms we should engage in studying the existing ones to make better use of them.

The challenges to the arms control regime and CSBMs, such as non-compliance, non-transparency, and lack of verification, multiplied by destabilizing and unabated accumulation of heavy weapons continue to erode the security environment of our region. Unnotified large scale military exercises, in violation of the VD provisions have become a regular practice. During the year on several occasions we informed the Forum for Security co-operation on large-scale unnotified military exercises in the vicinity of our borders. In all cases the provisions of the Vienna Document were openly challenged not only by the fact of violation but also by false interpretations.

These violations by one of our neighbours are complemented with open disrespect to the CFE treaty limitations in almost all categories. This fact is carefully documented and presented in their Annual Exchange of Military Information. It goes without saying that such non-compliance which is accompanied by official exclusion of largest part of the Armed Forces from any verification activities or requests to send notifications on intention to inspect 10 days in advance undermines the principle of indivisible and co-operative security, thus posing a serious threat to security and stability of the whole OSCE area. This situation has already created a military vacuum at eastern and western borders of Armenia.

Mr. Moderator,

Armenia is fully committed to the CFE Treaty and Vienna Document and all other CSBMs in their letter and spirit. We continue to believe that the enhancement of compliance with our obligations and commitments remains a sine qua non condition for peace and stability of the OSCE area.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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