ArmInfo.In Stepanakert, the fact of the meeting of Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan with the Chief of the General Staff of Armenia Onik Gasparyan was confirmed.
Thus, Spoeksperon of the Artsakh President Lusine Avanesyan, in an interview with Artsakhpress, commenting on the information circulated by the media regarding the mediation efforts of Arayik Harutyunyan, in particular, stated: "In accordance with the earlier announced readiness for mediation, President Harutyunyan also held meetings with Nikol Pashinyan, and with Onik Gasparyan. He discussed with them some issues related to overcoming the current situation, taking as a basis the priorities of internal stability and external security of Armenia and Artsakh. During the meeting with Gasparyan, the issue of resignation was not discussed at all, and there can be no question of any pressure. As for the format of the meeting, it was attended not only by the director of the NSS of Armenia Armen Abazyan, but also the secretary of the Artsakh Security Council Vitaly Balasanyan and another official. As stated by the President of the Republic, he continues to maintain neutrality in relation to internal political events in Armenia, and his mediation efforts are aimed at overcoming the crisis. "
Earlier, the media circulated information that Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan together with RA NSS Director Armen Abazyan visited Onik Gasparyan in the evening and allegedly "demanded" the resignation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces. It was also reported that Gasparyan not only categorically refused to resign, but also slapped the President of Artsakh. It was also reported that Vitaly Balasanyan expressed full support for Gasparyan.
It is also worth noting that late in the evening, the Armenian National Army issued a statement on its Facebook page, in which it emphasized that the head of the General Staff of Armenia Onik Gasparyan categorically rejected the demand for resignation.
"Head of the General Staff of Armenia Onik Gasparyan categorically rejected the demand for resignation, stating that the demands of the army cannot be changed. The generals sent a signal to Pashinyan that if pressure on Gasparyan continues, the situation will worsen even more," the statement said.