On April 20, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia is ready to host a Collective Security Treaty Organization mission, but discussions on this issue continue.

"Not only Russia is ready, but also Armenia. We have identified the circle of our concern or our desire. We desire to make the mission effective. This is important for Armenia, the CSTO, and the region. We continue discussions in this direction," the head of government said, answering a question from journalists in the parliament of the republic about Russia’s readiness to deploy a CSTO mission on the territory of Armenia.

According to the Prime Minister, there is no need to consider the CSTO mission on the same plane as the EU observation mission already deployed in the country. "Let's distinguish between the CSTO and the EU. The CSTO has agreements to ensure the security of Armenia, Armenia has its own agreements," Pashinyan said.

"During the events in Kazakhstan at the beginning of 2022, Armenia fully fulfilled its duties as (at that time) chairman and member of the CSTO. Consequently, Yerevan's expectations from the CSTO mission should be much higher than from the EU," the Armenian leader emphasized.

Moreover, Nikol Pashinyan said that the problem area near the village of Tegh in the Syunik region of Armenia on the border with Azerbaijan has decreased by another 1.4 km. "Of the 12-kilometer line to be clarified, a 5-kilometer section was considered problematic," he recalled.

"I can say that at the moment, the [not specified] zone has shrunk by another 1.4 km. This means that this section of the border has been specified. This means that the Azerbaijanis and we have a common opinion on this section," Pashinyan explained. According to him, the Armenian and Azerbaijani border guards are deployed at a certain distance from this line, and practice shows that when the border guards deal with the issue, this leads to certain results. "We hope that the remaining 3.6 km will be specified, and the issue will be closed," the head of government said.

Furthermore, the Armenian Prime Minister added that Azerbaijan, through provocations, seeks to achieve a new military escalation. "The purpose of Azerbaijan's provocative statements is for Armenia to succumb to them and get involved in the game conceived by Baku. This plan is known to all. The purpose of the Azerbaijani provocations lies precisely in this, in order to cause an escalation," Pashinyan said.

According to the head of government, the Armenian Foreign Ministry has already reacted to the Azerbaijani leader's statements, as well as he did during his recent speech in parliament. "If necessary, I will respond, but by our plan, not theirs," the Prime Minister said. He added that Armenia would continue to move forward on ensuring a peaceful agenda in the region and relying on balanced political assessments.