Former defense minister of Armenia, Deputy Chairman of the board of the Yerkrapah Union of Volunteer Land Defenders Vagharshak Harutyunyan says Armenians have solved the Artsakh issue and the task today is to preserve what we have. In Harutyunyan’s words, Azerbaijan would have started a war if it believed in its victory.

“We have a military potential today, especially the missile defense, that is capable destroy all economic and military centers in the territory of Azerbaijan. This is the guarantee that constraints Azerbaijan to start a war. As to the saboteurs and ceasefire violations, they are part of a policy to exert pressure on the Armenian side to get concessions,” Harutyunyan said.

The former minister next suggested Azerbaijan keeps on blackmailing the Co-Chairs with threats to start a war aiming to get favorable settlement.

“I do not expect large-scale war in the near future, yet we should stay ready and have a capable army,” Harutyunyan said, adding “As long as Azerbaijan insists Karabakh, the territories, and even Yerevan are owned by it we cannot even speak of compromises. I think that will be unacceptable as the adversary will take it as weakness.”