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 “Loss of each Armenian soldier is the loss of our whole nation. We all mourn the death of our soldiers, together with the families of the victims. Regarding the response given to the rival, nothing can console our grief,” President Serzh Sargsyan stated, answering to Panorama.am question about border incidents.

“I’ve been always saying that the instigations on the line of contact are very dangerous. I’ve also said they will get severe responses. Recent incidents are evidence of it,” stressed President Sargsyan.

Remarking on the issue of responsibility for the border incidents, President said: “Either the instigations have been recommended by the Azerbaijani authorities, and in that case, they are responsible for the violation of the ceasefire regime an international obligation that Azerbaijan assumed, or the Armed forces of that country are out of control, and in that case we are to cope with separate field commanders, and not an organized army.”

“We don’t find any reason to apply armed force, since we consider negotiations the only way to settle the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and the resolution must comprise implementation of right of self determination of people of Artsakh. To move forward and advance, as the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have repeatedly stated, people should be prepared to peace. The Azerbaijani side is committed to do quite the opposite – using encouragement of xenophobia as a tool to distract people’s attention from domestic affairs,” said the President and stressed two factors: “It’s especially painful that the provocative actions occurred on the day when intellectuals of Armenia and Azerbaijan, by the initiative of the Russian side, were holding a meeting aimed to strengthen atmosphere of trust, and the Secretary of State of another co-chairing state – USA, was paying a regional visit to South Caucasus.”

Speaking about the plans of the Armenian side, President Sargsyan said: “We are not committed to strain the situation, but we won’t leave unanswered any action against our citizens, state borders and Nagorno Karabakh. The Armed forces of the Republic of Armenia are strictly ordered to perform restraint and vigilance, at the same time to prevent and punish any provocation by the rival. I am sure the international community and the people of Azerbaijan understand who is responsible for the blood of the victims.”