Thursday, February 15 2024 11:40

ArmInfo.Chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a regular Cabinet meeting took place.

Before discussing the agenda of the session, the Prime Minister made  a speech in which he referred to the aggressive actions of Azerbaijan  on the state border of Armenia on February 13 in the area of Nerkin  Hand settlement of Kapan enlarged community of Syunik region, as a  result of which 4 border guards were killed on combat duty.

"On February 13, as a result of the aggressive actions of Azerbaijan,  4 border guards on combat duty at the Armenian state border in the  area of the Nerkin Hand settlement of the enlarged Kapan community of  the Syunik region were killed.

"Expressing my condolences to the relatives and friends of the  victims, I consider it necessary to emphasize that what happened is  another manifestation of Azerbaijan's unconstructive policy. On  February 12, the Azerbaijani media spread information that a soldier  of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan was shot and wounded by an Armenian  border guards in the above-mentioned section of the  Armenia-Azerbaijan border.  After this statement, the Military Police  of Armenia issued a statement that they have started an investigation  into the incident, as there is a clear order from the Minister of  Defense not to allow violations of the ceasefire regime, not to give  in to provocations. And therefore, if it is found that there is a  violation of the order, there will also be legal consequences.  Despite this, the next morning, Azerbaijan opened massive fire in the  direction of the above-mentioned positions, as a result of which we  suffered four casualties.

"The description of the events shows that Azerbaijan's intentions  remain the same: to pursue a policy of military coercion against the  Republic of Armenia. Our impression is that Azerbaijan does not show  any interest in ensuring border stability and security, and there are  many reasons for this. For example, as early as 2022, it was agreed  that border security issues should also be included in the mandate of  demarcation commissions. In line with the agreement, the Republic of  Armenia established a commission on the demarcation of the state  border and border security between the Republic of Armenia and the  Republic of Azerbaijan, assuming that according to the agreement, the  commissions will also work on issues related to border security. And  Azerbaijan, contrary to the agreement, called its newly established  commission the state commission for the demarcation of the state  border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of  Armenia, omitting the security component.

"These and several other circumstances give grounds for concluding  that Azerbaijan continues to pursue the policy of 'give me what I  want through negotiation, otherwise I will take it with war,"  Armenia's premier said.