STEPANAKERT. – The Karabakh side is ready for Azerbaijan’s attempts to obstruct Stepanakert Airport’s operation, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic General Department of Civil Aviation (NKR GDCA) Head Valeri Adbashyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am commenting on Azerbaijani media reports that “Azerbaijan could disable the airport’s technical assistance.”      

“That is possible, and such possibilities are known to all. But we have factored in such  likelihood and are ready for it,” Adbashyan stressed.  

The GDCA Head drew attention to the fact that such actions are classified within the category of unlawful and active interference with the activities of civil aviation. “Being an ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organization] member and by signing the Convention, Azerbaijan is perfectly aware of this,” he recalled.        

Responding to the query on the likelihood of Azerbaijan downing aircrafts flying to NKR capital city Stepanakert and the avenues to prevent this, the GDCA Head stated that this refers to civil airplanes. “Civil airplanes do not plan to hide; they will have all the recognition devices,” he said.     

And with respect to the exact date for commencing flights, Valeri Adbashyan informed that this will become clear after having resolved some organizational matters.