YEREVAN. – Zhoghovurd newspaper of Armenia writes: The status of [Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) capital] Stepanakert airport is the same at the moment, it has not changed. Artsakh Foreign Minister David Babayan said this in a conversation with Zhoghovurd daily.

Let us recall that the other day, the executive director of Stepanakert Airport CJSC was relieved of his post, which had caused expert circles to worry that something might be changing in connection with the status of the airport.

According to Zhoghovurd daily’s information, the main airport of Artsakh may be operated again in the near future with the cooperation and direct mediation of the Russian side.

In a conversation with us, Minister Babayan noted that there is no political element in the above-mentioned dismissal. As for the reopening of the airport or cooperation with the Russian side, the foreign minister said: "Of course we all want, we are interested in [it] operating again; but probably time is needed for that. As for cooperation with the Russians, let's see. We will try to do everything so that it operates again."

Regarding the information, the AR [(Artsakh Republic)] Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, which the airport is under the subordination of, provided us with the following: "The reopening of the airport is at the negotiation phase, and there is definitely cooperation with Russian peacekeepers."