
ArmInfo. In the event of a shot fired from Azerbaijan, one should not expect a return shot, as this will not bring peace to Armenia. National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia MP from the ruling “Civil Contract” faction Hasmik Hakobyan stated this on September 16 in a conversation with journalists, answering a question about the authorities’ attitude toward official Baku’s statements regarding Gandzasar.
"Naturally, Azerbaijan’s statement regarding Gandzasar does not support the peace agenda, and it would be good if both sides—Armenia and Azerbaijan—refrained from making such statements. The Matenadaran Institute of Ancient Manuscripts issued a statement regarding Gandzasar. We never said that achieving peace would be easy. If it were easy, there would be no need for documents or lengthy negotiations. This is not an easy path, and I remember that about two years ago, when there was shooting at the border, everyone was saying the same thing: is this the peace you are negotiating? Azerbaijan is shooting, while you remain silent. I repeat: the fragile peace that was achieved, which is no longer fragile and is gradually becoming stronger, requires care and great patience. We must continue our tireless efforts and keep setting our agenda, because citizens benefit from this. Now, shooting has been replaced by statements that are unpleasant for any citizen to hear," Hasmik Hakobyan noted.
She added that there had always been reactions from the Armenian side. "But in the event of a shot, do not expect a return shot, because that does not lead to our goal; it does not lead to peace. Many statements may be aimed at changing the situation in the peace process, and we do not want that. Armenia is a peace-loving country, and we want to achieve our ultimate goal," said the ruling party MP.
Earlier, Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev rejected the Armenian affiliation of the Gandzasar and Dadivank monastic complexes in Nagorno-Karabakh, presenting them as Albanian. Hajiyev made these remarks during a visit to Karabakh by ambassadors of several countries and representatives of international organizations in Azerbaijan.
Answering a question from the Armenian service of Radio "Liberty" as to why the Armenian Foreign Ministry had not issued a statement, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that there are more specialized bodies dealing with this issue. "We heard the position of the Matenadaran and
are very pleased with its position and actions. We joined the work together with the Matenadaran," the minister added.