Expert: Baku, Ankara unlikely to fulfill threats against Stepanakert airport

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian military expert David Jamalyan has voiced skepticism over Turkey and Azerbaijan to fulfill their threats in case Stepanakert airport launches operations.

“Turkey and Azerbaijan are unlikely to turn their words into action. I don’t think Turkey will block its airspace (for aircrafts from Armenia), considering the importance of the RA airspace. Moreover, any move of the kind will undermine the interests of various international organizations and countries,” he told a press conference in Yerevan.

Dwelling on Azerbaijan’s threats to shoot down NKR-bound airplanes, the expert said, “Azerbaijan is unlikely to do so in view of Armenia’s ability to give an equal response.”

In this context Mr. Jamalyan noted that the reaction of Turkey and Azerbaijan to the possible opening of the Stepanakert airport was quite predictable.

“This once again proves the strategic character of Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation,” the expert said, urging Armenia’s public figures to follow President Serzh Sargsyan’s suit, who earlier announced intention to be among the passengers of the first flight operated by the airport.