STEPANAKERT.- The situation along the line of contact between the armed forced of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan has not changed since the beginning of 2013, Karabakh Defense Minister said.

“There is constant tension. Certain activation is felt in the air in the context of intention to reopen Stepanakert airport,” Movses Hakobyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The minister stressed that the Karabakh armed forces are ready to respond to any encroachment.

“The situation is under control. There is no doubt that the armed forces will fulfill the task,” he added.

Prospects for reopening of Stepanakert airport provoke hysteria in Azerbaijan. Baku constantly voices threats to down the planes heading to Stepanakert. Azerbaijani government has recently decided to allow its air force to shoot down civilian aircraft overflying Nagorno-Karabakh.