YEREVAN (ArmRadio)—Speaking at a press conference Tuesday on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the third Armenian republic’s armed forces, Armenia’s Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian praised the Armenian army.

 

“Thanks to correct assessments of the situation and adoption of new approaches, Armenia’s forces have not only managed to protect the borders of the country, but have also grown into an army corresponding to the standards of the 21st century,” Ohanian said.

“Azerbaijan continues its over-militarized policy, spreading hatred towards Armenians among its society. The adversary has attempted a number of subversive acts over the past year and has launched a war of snipers, with an aim of testing the strength of the Armenian forces and escalating the situation. However in case of a slightest success, Azerbaijan would take more serious steps. They have not had serious achievements, the Armenian soldier has prevented this,” Ohanian said.

According to Ohanian, last year Armenia won in all fronts, defeated the enemy, but, unfortunately, suffered losses.

Minister Ohanian said, “The situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border is unacceptable to the military-political leadership and the people of Armenia.”

Therefore, he said, decisive actions are necessary. “We must either maintain the ceasefire regime, or take corresponding measures to impose peace on Azerbaijan. If, from the political point of view, Azerbaijan does not understand that it should maintain peace and respect the ceasefire agreement, then every of its assaults will get a worthy response. The escalation of violence at the border continues. Therefore, we have to take preventive measures, and we have that opportunity.”

Ohanian assured that he sees the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group and that the non-constructive policy of Azerbaijan is doomed to fail.

Seyran Ohanyan stressed that the situation is not acceptable for the Armenian military and political leadership.

“We must make a radical decision — either to adhere to the ceasefire agreement or to take relevant measures to force peace on the rival. If our neighbor doesn’t understand that he should stick to the ceasefire agreement, he should be given an abrupt response, and we are capable of doing it,” Ohanian said.

“The rival’s armed forces can’t compete against quality with quantity, we are in a better state,” added Ohanian.