Statement delivered by the Delegation of Armenia on Violations by Azerbaijan and Turkey of the Vienna Document 2011

30 September, 2020

At the outset, we would like to join others in thanking the German FSC Chairmanship for dedicating this Security Dialogue to the Vienna Document 2011. We would like to welcome today’s speakers and thank them for their thought‑provoking presentations.

The position of Armenia regarding the Vienna Document and its implementation is very well known. During the year we have had several opportunities to elaborate in detail on this topic. We fully share the view contained in the FSC Chairmanship’s concept note that the Vienna Document is the key instrument for confidence-building measures within the OSCE framework and is an essential part of the OSCE’s security architecture in the politico‑military sphere. The existing threats and challenges in the OSCE area, including ongoing conflicts and tensions, make this assertion even more important. Therefore, full implementation in both letter and spirit of the provisions of the Vienna Document is of particular importance for ensuring trust and transparency and strengthening military predictability.

Unfortunately, our discussions in the Forum have shown that not all participating States agree on this fact. We continue to witness conditionalities in implementation of the provisions of the Vienna Document. This particularly applies to Chapter V on Prior Notification of Certain Military Activities. My delegation has on several occasions presented to the participating States cases of blatant violations of important provisions contained in this chapter.

In this context I would like to recall that last year Azerbaijan conducted four large‑scale military exercises, including a joint exercise with Turkey, and failed to provide any prior notification via the OSCE Communications Network. It is important to note that the drills were offensive in their scenarios.

From 11 to 15 March 2019, military exercises took place in Azerbaijan involving up to 10,000 military personnel, up to 500 tanks, up to 300 missile and artillery systems of various calibres, multiple-launch rocket systems and mortars. From 1 to 3 May, Azerbaijani‑Turkish joint tactical live-fire exercises were held in Azerbaijan but the parameters were not disclosed and our request for details at the FSC meeting was disregarded. From 20 to 24 May there was a large‑scale military exercise involving more than 10,000 military personnel, 150 tanks and other armoured vehicles, up to 200 artillery pieces, mortars and multiple rocket launchers of different calibres, and up to 35 aircraft and helicopters. From 16 to 20 September further large‑scale military exercises involved up to 10,000 military personnel, 100 tanks and other armoured vehicles, 150 artillery pieces, mortars and multiple rocket launchers of varying calibres, and up to 20 aircraft and helicopters.

In the present year, furthermore, from 2 to 6 March 2020, Azerbaijan conducted another large‑scale military exercise and once again rejected our requests that it provide information and comply with the transparency measures enshrined in the Vienna Document. Subsequently, exercises conducted from 18 to 22 May involved up to 10,000 military personnel, up to 120 tanks and armoured vehicles, up to 200 missile and artillery systems of various calibres, multiple launch rocket systems and mortars, and up to 30 army and front-line aviation.

In the course of the present year we also informed the participating States, with deep concern, of the Turkish‑Azerbaijani joint military exercises held immediately after the Azerbaijani military offensive against the north‑eastern part of Armenia’s State border in July. The exercises involved thousands of military personnel, hundreds of armoured combat vehicles, artillery, and military aviation including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). As we pointed out, after the military exercise Turkish military personnel and equipment remained stationed in Azerbaijan.

In all above-mentioned cases, in the spirit of transparency, the delegation of Armenia sought information in the Forum. Regrettably, the countries concerned either rejected our requests or justified their non-compliance by invoking conflict‑related issues. In this regard we pointed out that linking these exercises with the conflict was a clear early warning sign of Azerbaijani preparation for another offensive.

And indeed, early in the morning of 27 September the Azerbaijani armed forces unleashed large‑scale aggression along the entire Line of Contact. The defence installations of the Artsakh Defence Army came under heavy shelling and bombardment, as also did civilian infrastructure and settlements, including the capital city of Stepanakert, from tanks, helicopters, heavy artillery, UAVs and multiple rocket launchers including ones with calibres of 300 mm or more. Turkish military equipment is also heavily engaged in this military offensive. Yesterday, on 29 September, F-16 Turkish fighter jets performing a combat mission shot down a Su‑25 fighter of the Armenian Air Force in the airspace of the Republic of Armenia.

The scale of the attacks and the range of weaponry used prove beyond doubt that this aggression was pre-planned and is being carried out by Azerbaijan in close co‑operation and with the support and involvement of the Turkish military. Such aggression could not be implemented on short-notice planning.

Madam Chairperson,

Coming back to the guiding question of the concept note we would like to outline two important elements with regard to improving the overall level of implementation of the Vienna Document.

First, the main objective of the Vienna Document and other confidence- and security‑building measures is the prevention of the threat or use of force. Any threat or use of force is a challenge to military and political stability in the entire OSCE area.

Second, it should be acknowledged that when OSCE participating States turn a blind eye to arbitrary and selective implementation of the Vienna Document, this encourages further violations and destabilization of the security environment, as it has been the case with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

We would like to conclude by reiterating that Armenia is fully committed to the Vienna Document both in letter and spirit. We continue to believe that the enhancement of compliance with our obligations and commitments remains a sine qua non for peace and stability in the OSCE area.

Madam Chairperson,

In reaction to the statement of the delegation of Turkey regarding the decision of Armenia to suspend military inspections and visits by guest inspectors from Turkey under the CFE Treaty and the Vienna Document, I believe my statement has provided enough detail on the reasons behind our decision. Taking into account the fact that Turkey has declared itself as party to the Nagorno‑Karabakh conflict and is actively engaged in aggression against Armenia, our actions are more than legitimate and justified.

The Armenian delegation also elaborated its position on this issue exhaustively during the 1277th Permanent Council meeting when discussing the current issue entitled “Turkey’s aggressive policy and military posturing as a destabilizing factor in the South Caucasus”. I would encourage the representative of Turkey to re-read our statement, which is self‑explanatory and has been distributed in the OSCE.

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