Armenian side not responsible for skirmishes – minister

ARMINFO
Armenia – June 7 2022
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo.There is some tension along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, incidents occur, and Armenia's Ministry of Defense is informed of that. In some cases Azerbaijan  disseminates disinformation on Armenian troops allegedly violating  the ceasefire, Armenia's Defense Minister Suren Papikyan said in an  interview with the Public TV of Armenia. 

"Armenia's armed forces prevent ceasefire violations by silencing the  enemy with retaliations. That is, we are not responsible for  skirmishes, and I hope that the neighbor's armed forces will do the  same, and we will be able to achieve stable peace," the minister  said. 

Asked about pile-up of Azerbaijani forces and a possibility of war,  Mr Papikyan could not make any assessments. 

"In any case Armenia's armed forces must be ready to ensure security  of our borders. We do not see any threats now," the minister said. 

Asked about the army's morale, Mr Papikyan said post-war recovery is  a difficult process, but the morale is high. 

"We have to work, to ensure rear security, trust the army. The army  is awaiting support, including moral support. And we must follow this  way, and organic ties between the army and society must work," Mr  Papikyan said. 

He reported that the draft is scheduled for June 13 to July 31. 

"This autumn our conscript will be trained in training battalions  after which they will be sent to military units," the minister said.