Azernews.Az

By Rashid Shirinov

Use of chemical weapon by Armenia while shelling the Azerbaijani settlements on the frontline area turned out a big story attracting huge attention.

Armenia grossly violated a Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT), which it has signed, using phosphorus artillery shell with regard to Azerbaijan, whose 20 percent of territory it keeps under occupation ignoring the UN SC resolution on immediate withdrawal.

Maya Kocijancic, representative of the European External Action Service (EEAS), reminded Armenia of the obligations taken by the country after signing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT).

Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT is an international agreement designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.

The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) found an Armenian unexploded white phosphorus artillery shell on May 10 during demining operations in the area.

The foreign military attaches visited the area next day to see by their own eyes the evidences of Armenian attack. The group included representatives of the German embassy, which holds the presidency in the OSCE this year.

“The EU has no information that Armenia withdrew from the agreements under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons,” Kocijancic told Trend. She also added that Armenia is a party to the agreement on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons since 1993, and signed the additional Protocol on safeguards agreement with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1997. All participants of the agreement are regularly inspected by the IAEA.

Konstantin Mashovets, Ukrainian Armed forces’ Lieutenant Colonel and military expert, also expressed his thoughts over the issue. “The application of the unexploded munitions with a chemical substance contradicts the requirements of the international instruments,” he told Day.az news portal while commenting the use of chemical weapons by Armenia.

“If Armenians in fact used chemical weapons in the course of fighting, then they can face with dire consequences, including the imposition of embargoes and sanctions, and this country should be internationally prosecuted. Azerbaijan must bring this fact to the attention of the world community.”

Mashovets emphasized that defeat radius of chemical shells is high and if Azerbaijan proves the usage of chemical munitions by Armenia to international community, the reaction will be highly negative.

“The use of such weapons is negatively perceived in the world and was repeatedly banned by various international agreements, including the Hague Convention of 1899, the Geneva Protocol of 1925, the Convention on the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons from 1993. In this case, the country that has applied and applies such weapons should be punished in accordance with the requirements of international conventions,” the expert concluded.

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