Armenian Presidential Chief of Staff Vigen Sarsgyan (Source: Photolure)
YEREVAN (Mediamax)—Armenian Presidential Chief of Staff Vigen Sargsyan said that ensuring Artsakh’s and Armenia’s security “will require super efforts”.
He said that the issue is not only about the number our manpower but also material resources, noting that the Armenian side will have to allocate significant funds for military expenses.
“The alternative can be much worse”, said Sargsyan during R-Evolution program on Armenia TV.
Presidential Chief of Staff stated that “People in Artsakh are ready for a fierce fight” for their independence and highlighted that any solution cannot be imposed on the Armenian sides.
Talking about the prospect of conflict settlement, Sargsyan quoted late Prime Minister of Israel Golda Meir:
“Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us”.
Commenting on the meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan held in Bern on December 19, Sargsyan said that it was particularly important in terms of discussion of the current tension on the contact line. He said that practical steps can be taken in the near future towards introduction of a mechanism to investigate incidents and to strengthen the monitoring capabilities of the OSCE.
The Chief of Staff recalled that in recent years, Azerbaijan has rejected the corresponding proposals of the co-chairing countries, while Yerevan and Stepanakert have given their agreements.
“The Azerbaijani side said in Bern that they are ready to discuss those proposals in more details”, said Sargsyan, expressing hope that Azerbaijan will give more definite answers in the near future.
The Chief of Staff said that “Kazan document” which was refused by the Azerbaijani side still remains at the negotiation table.
Commenting on rumors that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has recently submitted a new proposal to the sides, Sargsyan said that “We have not received an official proposal”.
“Different suggestions and ideas are presented almost every day, but there is an important principle: unless everything is agreed, nothing is agreed. The key point for us is Nagorno-Karabakh’s right of self-determination, all other issues are derivative of it”, said Sargsyan.
Source: Asbarez
Link: Security of Armenia and Artsakh ‘Will Require Super Efforts’