Hovhannes Igityan addressed the tension on the border, the question what Baku’s moves are directed towards, especially in the day prior to the Minsk Group’s arrival in Baku, the large-scale military exercises undertaken by Azerbaijan. “When a country tries to use the atmosphere of threat in favor of his political aspirations, this is considered a terror. Unfortunately, all the insurances of peace that have been in place, do not work today. It will be ridiculous if in these conditions we speak of legal basis, which the sides and particularly Azerbaijan have taken on their shoulders – conventions, Peace Treaty of 1994, etc. Azerbaijan and the sides have agreed those times to settle the conflict by peaceful measures which do not work either. Azerbaijan sees that there are other states in the world as well that do not respect their suchlike responsibilities,” noted Hovhannes Igityan.
He finds that Armenia’s authorities and diplomacy should shift their route: “In the recent 3-4 years, we were told that the Russian military base deployed in Armenia solves not only the security issue of Armenia but the region alike. Our state officials were also telling us that in the case of CSTO not military encroachment will be in place, it is strange to listen that they were representing us an economic system – the Customs Union, which converted into EEU afterward, as a safety insurance to Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia. And the diplomatic part of Armenia was representing as if they act against the whole world on various platforms to protect Russia’s interests substantiating as if Russia is the one who decides for Armenia’s security. Meanwhile, the authorities should find another paths, announce that these assurances do not work and try to find other insurances.”
As he put it, Azerbaijan has already withdrawn from the policy of conducting operations alone from his side and actively cooperates with Turkey, regardless the countries which sell hard weaponry to them and by the assistance of their specialists contribute to the correct utilization of those weapons. “The negotiation phase is the path to any conflict settlement, NKR conflict comprised, however, in this tense situation negotiation process is impossible to continue. Usually, the sides negotiate merely in the case when there is a trust atmosphere in place, and if children die, the population is afraid of even going out in the field, it is impossible to negotiate round the table. Initially, the the objective of Minsk Group operations was the peace establishment, but by the April War Azerbaijan put an end to that work,” thinks Hovhannes Igityan.
Replying to the question whether the threat of war recommencement is present, the speaker told: “Azerbaijan will probably try to advance 800 hectares ahead, but it will be simply in order to have a more favorable position and to tear off a solution close to his interests. We should be mean in using the term war, inasmuch as war signifies clash between the military units of the countries, and Azerbaijan’s actions are terroristic not martial.”
As far as military exercises conducted by Azerbaijan are concerned, according to Igityan, they are preparations for war.
Gohar HAKOBYAN
