On May 26, a session of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers was held in a video conference format.

The Foreign Ministers discussed a wide range of issues on strengthening the cooperation within the CSTO framework, the international and regional developments, and the joint response to contemporary security challenges and threats.

In his remarks, Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan reiterated Armenia's commitment to deepen the cooperation within the CSTO aimed at increasing the effectiveness of foreign policy coordination, strengthening the defense component, and countermeasures mechanisms against the threats and challenges.

Touching upon the challenges the international community faces due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Mnatsakanyan, particularly noted. "The international community should take unified and coordinated actions in the fight against the pandemic and its consequences. We express our full solidarity with our allies in the fight against the pandemic and are ready to work side by side in all directions to overcome all the negative consequences and ensure the sustainable development of our countries."

In this context, Minister Mnatsakanyan, among other decisions, highlighted the adoption of the decision of the Foreign Ministers to support the call of the UN Secretary General to establish a global ceasefire amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our states were among the first ones to express their full solidarity and support for the UN Secretary-General António Guterres's call for a global ceasefire.

In this context, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that despite the common perception of the international community about the need to establish a global ceasefire and focus on efforts to overcome the pandemic and its consequences, our Eastern neighbour Azerbaijan does not renounce its maximalist approaches and warmongering. The ceasefire is being violated on the Line of Contact, and provocations at the border, threatening the security of the civilian population, continue."

In this regard, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia referred to the large-scale operative-tactical military exercises carried out by Azerbaijan on May 18-22, in violation of its international commitments prescribed by the Vienna Document. The Foreign Minister of Armenia underscored that such actions, which undermine regional stability and seriously undermine the peace process, shall be duly condemned.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia reiterated the commitment of Armenia and the newly elected authorities of Artsakh to the exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. “We strongly reject the use or threat of use of force and continue our constructive participation in the peace process, the potential of which cannot be fully realized without the participation of the people of Artsakh and the parity-based compromise of all parties."

In his remarks, Minister Mnatsakanyan also touched upon the events unfolding in the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of protecting religious and national minorities.

At the end of the session, the Council of Foreign Ministers adopted following joint statements: on the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, on Supporting the UN Secretary-General's call for a global ceasefire amid the COVID-19 pandemic, on Solidarity and Understanding in the fight against COVID-19, on Adherence to the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter.