Friday, March 25 2022 16:54

ArmInfo.To be honest, the most important question for us, is:  "Does the Russian side require Azerbaijan to return to its starting positions?". Eduard Aghajanyan,  Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, stated this  during a briefing on March 25, answering journalists' questions.

In this context, he once again stressed that the position of the  Armenian side is that the peacekeepers really ensure the security of  the Armenian population of Artsakh, not allowing such provocations. "  Armenia is ready to do everything in its power to support this  process in any formate," the parliamentarian said.  At the same time,  he noted that he does not consider subjective the opinion that what  is happening in Artsakh is under the responsibility of Russian  peacekeepers. In this regard, the parliamentarian referred to a  statement in which this provision is enshrined, co-authored by the  Russian Federation.

Aghajanyan stressed that Russia is the guarantor of Armenia's  security, and as a result of the tripartite statement, the guarantor  of the security of the Armenian population of the Republic of  Artsakh. In this regard, the parliamentarian considered the questions  raised by the Armenian public quite objective.

He stressed that there is still no official position of the Russian  Federation regarding the situation around Artsakh. <We expect it to  be announced soon. And it is desirable that this happens after the  Azerbaijani Armed Forces return to their starting positions,"  Aghajanyan said.  

It should be noted yesterday, the Artsakh Information Center reported  that  the units of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, grossly violating  the November 10 trilateral statement of 2020 invaded the area of  responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping troops in the Artsakh  Republic, taking control of the village of Parukh of Askeran region  and adjacent positions, and then tried to advance on the eastern  border of the Artsakh Republic.  The hours-long negotiations held by  the Russian peacekeeping troops and relevant structures of Artsakh  did not have tangible effect, the enemy did not return to the  starting positions.  Moreover, the Azerbaijani military units opened  fire on the Defense Army units using both firearms of various  calibers and a strike UAV.  At least 5 servicemen of the enemy were  killed as a result of the skirmish.  There is one wounded from the  Armenian side.  As of 9 AM the situation is relatively stable. We  anticipate that the Russian peacekeeping troops will take measures to  return the Azerbaijani units to their starting positions.

Today, the NKR Defense Army reported that at night the Azerbaijani  Armed Forces provoked a shootout and used a strike UAV in  Nagorno-Karabakh. As a result of these actions of the enemy, 5  servicemen of the Artsakh Defense Army were injured.