Baku Has No Alternative to Negotiations, Defense Minister Says

YEREVAN—“The situation at the border is under control. We have always dictated the situation at the border, and have punished the enemy if necessary,” Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanain told a press conference today. The thwarting of a recent attack by Azeri forces was proof of this, he added.

Minister Ohanian said escalation of the situation at the border ahead of any important political event is already a tradition. He likens the tension of the past few days to the events of Black January in Azerbaijan.

“International institutions should give an adequate response to all this, and Azerbaijan should realize that there is no alternative to negotiations,” he stated.

Speaking ahead of Armenian Army Day (January 28), the Defense Minister assessed 2013 as another year of achievements and victories for the Armenian army.

According to the Defense Minister, the peacekeeping activity of the Armenian armed forces received a high appraisal in 2013. He said the cooperation with the CSTO was also successful.

The Defense Minister said the Armenian side is doing its best to return Armenian POW Hakob Injighulian. “We are working with international organizations to return our captive,” the Minister said, adding, however, that the absence of direct contacts with Azerbaijan hampers the process.