YEREVAN. – Armenian News-NEWS.am talked to the security adviser to the Artsakh president Tigran Abrahamyan about the situation at the line of contact and the negotiations on the settlement of Karabakh conflict.

The Armenian authorities and international community have observed reduction in tension at the line of contact, while the head of EU delegation in Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Switalski speaking about positive trends said that we have witnessed an unprecedentedly low number of incidents, and added that probably this has not happened in the entire history of the conflict. Does this observation correspond to reality, if we consider the situation on the contact line after the April war?

I have repeatedly said that in order to assess the situation, it is necessary to take into account a large number of factors, including cases of ceasefire violation by the adversary. There is an improvement on this part only, and the trends in other components of the situational assessment are not positive at all. In addition to the fact that Azerbaijan violates the agreement from time to time, it is also noticeable that the adversary is carrying out works, which will allow to create sharp instability on the border in a short-time perspective.

Another issue is that the movements and maneuvers of the adversary are observed by us any time of the day, and are analyzed in detail in terms of risks. At the same time, I understand the logic of such messages, voiced by international organizations: there is a problem of calming down the parties, facilitating the start of peace negotiations. However, unfortunately, this is not due to the desire of Artsakh and Armenia only. We need to work with Baku.

Azerbaijani foreign ministry reported about preparation for the meeting of Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. What are expectations of that meeting?

We, of course, have to welcome mediators’ efforts targeted at resumption of talks. At this stage when Baku does not make efforts to form an atmosphere of confidence and to return to negotiations, similar meetings, as a rule, have an aim not to allow drastic changes in the situation on frontline.

The official statement of Azerbaijan indicate that the country continues acquiring weapons. Does this contribute to the formation of the necessary field?

Not the import of large quantities of weapons only, but the statements about the resumption of war contradict the peace process. There are a number of indicators that are providing for or contributing to the process of peaceful resolution. On the one hand, Azerbaijan is trying to show that it is making efforts to preserve the ceasefire regime at the frontline, but, on the other hand, their moves convince us that in fact, Baku is preparing for a different solution.

Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan said that in case of resumption of hostilities, the Armed Forces of Armenia are also ready to attack. According to him, Yerevan has moved on to purchase offensive weapons. Can this be considered a change in strategy?

In terms of position, our infrastructures located on the border were initially built and rebuilt both for the implementation of defense in peacetime and for the transition to defense, counterattack or offensive actions in the event of hostilities.

The military and political situation will show at which stage and how the adversary threatens the security of our people, and later on a decision will be made over the measures which we should take in this situation. The armed forces should be ready for all scenarios, and all our efforts and resources should be implemented to increase our safety.

Is it possible to return Artsakh to negotiating table?

Unfortunately, this depends not on us only, but I am sure that the co-chairing countries see the need for this. I think that for everyone it should be clear that as long as Karabakh is not a full participant in this process, it is difficult to expect any kind of a serious situational movement.YEREVAN. – Armenian News-NEWS.am talked to the security adviser to the Artsakh president Tigran Abrahamyan about the situation at the line of contact and the negotiations on the settlement of Karabakh conflict.

The head of the EU delegation in Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Switalski speaking about positive trends said that “we have witnessed an unprecedentedly low number of incidents, probably, this has not happened in the entire history of the conflict”. Does this observation correspond to reality, if we consider the situation on the contact line after the April war?

I have repeatedly said that in order to assess the situation, it is necessary to take into account a large number of factors, including cases of ceasefire violation by the adversary. There is an improvement on this part only, and the trends in other components of the situational assessment are not positive at all. In addition to the fact that Azerbaijan violates truce from time to time, it is also noticeable that the adversary is carrying out works, which will allow to create sharp instability on the border in a short-time perspective.

Another issue is that the movements and maneuvers of the adversary are observed by us any time of the day, and are analyzed in detail in terms of risks. At the same time, I understand the logic of such messages, voiced by international organizations: there is a problem of calming down the parties, facilitating the start of peace negotiations. However, unfortunately, this is not due to the desire of Artsakh and Armenia only. We need to work with Baku.

Azerbaijani foreign ministry reported about preparation for the meeting of Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. What are expectations of that meeting?

We, of course, have to welcome mediators’ efforts targeted at resumption of talks. At this stage when Baku does not make efforts to form an atmosphere of confidence and to return to negotiations, similar meetings, as a rule, have an aim not to allow drastic changes in the situation on frontline.

The official statement of Azerbaijan indicate that the country continues acquiring weapons. Does this contribute to the formation of the necessary field?

Not the import of large quantities of weapons only, but the statements about the resumption of war contradict the peace process. There are a number of indicators that are providing for or contributing to the process of peaceful resolution. On the one hand, Azerbaijan is trying to show that it is making efforts to preserve the ceasefire regime at the frontline, but, on the other hand, their moves convince us that in fact, Baku is preparing for a different solution.

Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan said that in case of resumption of hostilities, the Armed Forces of Armenia are also ready to attack. According to him, Yerevan has moved on to purchase offensive weapons. Can this be considered a change in strategy?

In terms of position, our infrastructures located on the border were initially built and rebuilt both for the implementation of defense in peacetime and for the transition to defense, counterattack or offensive actions in the event of hostilities.

The military and political situation will show at which stage and how the adversary threatens the security of our people, and later on a decision will be made over the measures which we should take in this situation. The armed forces should be ready for all scenarios, and all our efforts and resources should be implemented to increase our safety.

Is it possible to return Artsakh to negotiating table?

Unfortunately, this depends not on us only, but I am sure that the co-chairing countries see the need for this. I think that for everyone it should be clear that as long as Karabakh is not a full participant in this process, it is difficult to expect any kind of a serious situational movement.