Minister says Armenia always expecting resumption of hostilitiesJuly 25, 2018 - 14:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian side is always expecting the resumption of hostilities, Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan told reporters on Wednesday, July 25. His comments came after Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) Defense Minister Levon Mnatsakanyan said he predicted “a possible rise in tension on the contact line with Azerbaijan in September-October.” Weighing in on the remarks that his last interview was perceived as a direct warning to Azerbaijan, Tonoyan said he doesn’t think there is need for more comment. In an interview with EADaily, Tonoyan said the Azerbaijani side should not to be so confident so as to think that it controls the escalation of the military situation on the contact line. He said the OSCE Minsk Group mediators won’t be able to convince the Armenian side to suspend the retaliatory punitive actions when the Azerbaijani side resumes military operations. If the scenario of the April aggression of 2016 repeats, the Armenian side might not refrain from what he called “the temptation" to use the entire arsenal it has for a decisive and large-scale counteraction to the rival. Azerbaijan on April 2, 2016 launched a large-scale military offensive against Nagorno Karabakh, which left hundreds dead on both sides. Top Armenian and Azerbaijani defense officials reached an agreement on the cessation of hostilities on April 5. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. |