The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened “An Assessment of the Regional Balance of Power: Presentations on Defense Reform and Civil-Military Relations in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Broader Region” presentation on June 16.

“Armenia is the only country in the region which is aspired to maintain peace and stability, which becomes more and more shaky,” ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian said in his remarks

“With Azerbaijan and Georgia unsatisfied with the current status quo, Armenia acts as the defensive force,” he said.

Mr. Giragosian drew attention to the fact that the balance of forces in the region is changing and did not rule out that these changes will favor Azerbaijan.

At the same time, he emphasized that the army reorganization in Azerbaijan is unnoticeable, since the country’s Defense Ministry is a corrupt authority.

“Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev has been holding the post the longest time in the international history (besides Cuba’s Raul Castro) and his military experience is limited to watching action movies only,” Mr. Giragosian said.

He also emphasized that, the power of the army is determined not by its number but by quality in Armenia.

The expert reminded of the disorder in the Azeri army, pointing out to the increasing number of suicides.

“Even if Azerbaijan decides to launch military reform right now, it can reach the level of the Armenian army in some 8 or 9 years,” Mr. Giragosian said.

In conclusion, he said that the weak and unpredictable Azeri army is more dangerous for Armenia, as there is a threat of an unplanned war.