YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Despite of the fact that the military exercises “Shant” and “Indestructible Brotherhood” did not exceed the limits for military exercises accepted by international treaties, the Armenian side had announced about them in accordance with the OSCE procedures to ensure transparency and mutual trust. The First Deputy Defense Minister issued this statement.

“Armenpress” reports that to the following question of “Zinuzh” TV program, “Shant – 2015” Military Command and Staff Exercises were held in Armenia from September 3 – 6. At the beginning of October another military exercise “Indestructible Brotherhood” will be held within the framework of CSTO. Parallel to it, the Azerbaijani mass media spread information that from September 6 to September 13 military exercises will be held in Azerbaijan as well, in which 65.000 personnel, 700 combat vehicles, 500 missile and artillery systems, 40 jets and helicopters will be included. Are there international mechanisms to monitor the quantitative indicators of the military exercises and ensure their transparency?” Tonoyan answered in the following way, “International treaties on arms control, particularly within the framework of the OSCE, of which both Armenia and Azerbaijan are members, foresee control mechanisms for military exercises. Particularly, the 2011 document of Vienna determines that the member states must inform all the other member states about military exercises if they exceed 9000 personnel, or 250 tanks or 250 self-propelled artillery. Moreover, if the exercises of such a scale were not planned during the previous year, they must inform at least 42 days before the exercises are launched.

Despite of the fact that the military exercises “Shant” and “Indestructible Brotherhood” did not exceed the above mentioned limits, the Armenian side had announced about them in accordance with the OSCE procedures to ensure transparency and mutual trust.

As refers to the military exercises held in Azerbaijan, judging by the published figures, they had to be announced beforehand, which was not done. Hence, I find no necessity for extra comment on the difference of the policies adopted by Armenia and Azerbaijan on arms control”.