Karabakh lost 800 ha that played no strategic role: Armenia (video) May 17, 2016 - 14:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian side that controls some 800,000 hectares of land as a “safety zone” around Nagorno Karabakh lost some 800 hectares (around 8 square kilometers) in the course of 4-day hostilities unleashed by Azerbaijan in early April, President Serzh Sargsyan said Tuesday, May 17. According to Sargsyan, those 800 hectares have no tactical or strategic importance. “From the psychological viewpoint, Azerbaijanis can convince their people that they have achieved something, but at least one soldier was killed and two more wounded for gaining control over just one hectare of land,” Sargsyan said. “The Armenian forces were capable of restoring the status quo, but the question is whether it’s worth such major losses.” “I'm concerned about the fate of every one of our soldiers and officers,” Sargsyan added, urging those keen on advising to go to the frontline, assess the situation and see the difference between a meter of land and a human life. “Years ago, I set a clear task for our armed forces and the security agency to prevent any disruption or destruction of our security system. The latest developments proved the failure of Azeri strategy,” he said. Read also:Mechanisms for investigating truce violations to be installed in Karabakh 4 16.05.16 - President Serzh Sargsyan meets with reporters, as he returnes from a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Vienna The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now. Top stories Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Partner news | Politico: Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Azerbaijan in 2018-2022 Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Armenia’s enemy even though both countries were supposedly allies in a defense pact. Armenian govt. approves ratification of EAEU-Iran free trade deal At a meeting on Friday, June 14, the Armenian government approved the ratification of an EAEU free trade agreement with Iran. Deputy U.S. Secretary of State to arrive in Yerevan Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will travel to Yerevan, Armenia from June 17-19 to. Armenia will leave Russian-led military bloc, says Pashinyan Armenia will leave the Russian-led Collective Security Organization, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, without giving any dates. |