During the Civil Contract party’s campaign, Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the transition to a professional army. During a briefing with reporters, Artak Davtyan responded to a question of whether that is realistic and if a professional army can maintain our security after taking into consideration recent events. “We have been implementing steps for a long time to transition to a professional army, but we will not transition 100%. In any case, such plans do not exist for the near and visible future. Steps have been taken and they continue to be taken, but there are no preconditions for stopping conscription any time soon.”
Davtyan said that they are now trying to increase the army’s battle preparedness, especially in the commanding system and the lost military equipment. They are also studying war experience. When asked about how there are rumors that we are digging trenches in Gegharkunik, Shorzha in particular, but buildings remain in enemy territory, and is it possible that we are making new territorial concessions, what will be the future of that territory, and why are we retreating at the expense of our territory, Artak Davtyan responded, “Negotiations are underway. We are not going to make any concessions in our territory; there will be no concessions. We hope the issue will be settled through the negotiation process. In case the issue is not settled through negotiations, decisions will be made.”
In response to the question about how in the early days, when the Azerbaijani armed forces had just invaded our territory, there were constant incidents, and do they happen now and they do not talk about it, or are there no more incidents now, Artak Davtyan answered. “Incidents are not as large-scale as they used to be. This is primarily due to the negotiations process, which is active. The stages are not announced in order not to harm the negotiation process. We will present the final result.”
In response to the question of how we can resolve the issue of Azeris shooting at the villagers and stealing their animals very often, Artak Davtyan answered. “I do not think so, I think the enemy’s firing on our villagers is a bit exaggerated. Do not forget that for so many years in our other border areas – Barekamavan, Berdavan, Khachik, and in other settlements, we have been able to carry out problems with the enemy for so many years, but remember, there were many cattle thefts in the Noyemberyan region, now there aren’t any. Even now, when you say cattle theft, according to the information that I have, the animals just went in that direction while grazing. After the negotiations, a certain portion was either given back or work is being done.
Read also
In other words, it is not as if a group of Azeris entered our territory and stole cows. Of course, this situation is very painful. Negotiations are underway to resolve the situation.”
Hripsime Jebejyan
