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Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Popov has stated that “under the circumstances, the operation of Stepanakert airport would cause tension between the sides,” stressing that the problem should be resolved in diplomatic way, on the basis of the previous experience.

Panorama.am held an interview with Artsakh President’s spokesperson David Babayan about the operation of Stepanakert airport and some other issues.

- Mr Babayan, how would you comment on the Russian Co-Chair’s statement? What did he mean by it?

- The Russian Co-Chair established the current situation – the strained bilateral relations. But these tensions are artificially caused by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s hysteria is nothing new, and it will continue. In this respect Mr Popov said nothing new.

- There are different impressions of the Co-Chair’s statement. After all, what solution do you see to the situation regarding the operation of the airport?

- Whatever is said about it, all the same, the airport will be put into operation. We should not forget that the Co-Chairs had stated earlier that they reject any threat or use of force against civil aircraft, which means that they share our approaches.

The Co-Chairs shared our approach that this is not a politicized process, this is not a political measure, this facility has a humanitarian and economic significance. And here they repeated what we say. One should not be emotional about it. Let’s try to understand what is really taking place.

- Will the airport’s operation cause additional tension?

- Azerbaijan is constantly creating an occasion to cause tension, and the airport’s operation is just another occasion for Azerbaijan to raise hysteria. Indeed, the tension was caused by the extradition, heroization and pardon of the axe-murderer. The Azerbaijani side had better think about it.

- When do you plan to put the airport into operation?

- Now only small technical issues remain to be solved. Currently virtual flights are being operated via a computer program. Nearly 800 such flights have been implemented, to be followed by technical flights. We need not hurry because, I reiterate, if we hurry, it would mean that we politicize this process.

- Mr Babayan, what new approaches are there in the negotiation process, what was discussed during the NKR President’s last meeting with the Co-Chairs?

- The Karabakh side offered to take actions to ease tensions and create confidence between the sides. In particular, we try to reach an agreement on observation of ceasefire on both sides even if on holidays because, as a rule, ceasefire violations intensify in such days.