Armenian PM explains to Azerbaijani President why Yerevan is arming itself
YEREVAN, 19 December. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan responded today to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's accusations that Armenia is buying non-defensive weapons in order to attack Azerbaijan. He also commented on Aliyev's statement that Armenia will not stand an arms race with Azerbaijan.
‘Armenia is not in an arms race with any country; we are acquiring weapons solely to protect Armenia's borders and its territorial integrity. We buy weapons for defence purposes, and our goals are transparent. ,’ Pashinyan said in an interview.
He admitted that Armenia will receive super-equipped air defence and other systems.
‘And what should Armenia defend itself with against ground attacks? Of course with artillery, of course with missiles, of course with other means of defence. Azerbaijan is also acquiring non-defensive weapons. Does this mean it is pursuing a revanchist policy?’, Pashinyan said.
According to him, Azerbaijan is generally trying to turn the issue of Armenia's acquisition of arms into an agenda issue.
‘According to all international norms, the Republic of Armenia has the right to possess armed forces and is obliged to protect its citizens, including from possible external threats. Reforming the army is our legitimate right. Is it a threat to Azerbaijan? No, because we have clearly recognised and acknowledge the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan on the territory of Soviet Azerbaijan and we expect that Azerbaijan, like us, without giving a reason for interpretations, will recognise the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, in accordance with the agreements we have reached, and will refrain from the policy of threats,’ Pashinyan said.
He said also that every day brings threatening statements against the Republic of Armenia made by Azerbaijani officials.
‘In these conditions, our response to these threats is even criticised inside the country, as we say that we do not even consider the return by military means of the occupied parts of our sovereign territory - more than 200 square kilometres- because the institutional solutions reached on the border delimitation allow settling this issue by peaceful, negotiated means,’ Pashinyan said.
He noted that in the context of all this Armenia even proposed to Azerbaijan to create a bilateral mechanism of mutual arms control. But Azerbaijan has not reacted to all this so far, and the difference between the military budgets of Armenia and Azerbaijan is already 3 times in Azerbaijan's favour.
‘Against this background, accusing us of arming ourselves is at least unfair. I can guarantee that Armenia has no intention, goal or plan to attack Azerbaijan and will not go down that path. If Azerbaijan has no intention to attack Armenia, the probability of escalation in the region is zero,’ Pashinyan said.
