Armenia counts on joint efforts with Russia for long-term peaceFebruary 22, 2021 - 17:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Yerevan expects that long-term peace will be established in Nagorno-Karabakh thanks to cooperation with Russia, Armenian Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan said in an interview with RIA Novosti. According to him, Armenia believes that "the security of the population of Artsakh should first of all be ensured by the Defense Army (Karabakh)." “Of course, a lot remains to be done in terms of restoring its (the army's - Ed.) combat readiness and modernization, but whatever the case, it must be done. Second, Armenia remains the guarantor of the security of the people of Artsakh, and we will never relinquish this historic mission,” the Defense Minister said. “And third, and most importantly, the Russian military presence in the region made it possible to achieve a ceasefire in the first place, and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe afterwards. I think that thanks to joint efforts with the Russian Federation, long-term peace in the region will be established,” Harutyunyan added. Harutyunyan said in the same interview that Armenia is reforming the army after the recent hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, optimizing the size of the army, and switching to new systems of weapons and military equipment. Photo. Ria Novosti Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party. Russia confirms start of withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh The Kremlin has confirmed reports about the start of the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces in Karabakh. France recalls its ambassador to Azerbaijan France on April 16 said it had recalled for consultations the French ambassador to Azerbaijan. Protesters rally as Georgia debates 'foreign agent' bill Georgian critics label the bill "the Russian law", comparing it to legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent. |