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Political scientist Tigran Abrahamyan considers 2016 has been a difficult year given the April escalation that occurred on the Line of Contact between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

Speaking of the main foreign policy challenges ahead of the country, especially in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, Abrahamyan stresses first the need to restore the negotiations.

“April military actions came certainly to further distance the parties for raising confidence and building a dialogue on that foundation, yet the chances to resume the negotiations have not lost yet, “Abrahamyan argued.

According to the speaker, the negotiations currently in stalemate represent a major challenge for the mediating states as well with their reputation put at the basis for the process. However, Abrahamyan insists, Azerbaijan, as demonstrated previously, pays no interest to that fact, ignoring those kind of ‘details’ in implementation of its own policy.

Asked, in the view of the existence of those ‘details’ what are the prime tasks of Armenia, Abrahamyan said: “If we take a global stance over the matter, the challenges include active works starting from the diplomatic front up to strengthening the economy”.

As to the Armed Forces, 2016 brought major shifts in resources, the appointment of a new defense minister and changes in the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces among them.

“These appear to have been significant changes for a state in war. I expect further reconsiderations and reviews in number of directions with the basis already laid down. I value particularly the application of new technologies in the Armed Forces that may ensure the balance of power in the modern world to permanently serve to our benefits,” reasoned Abrahamyan.

In the words of the political scientist the implementation of the combat guarding should be reviewed over the time as well. Installation of new technologies on the frontline provides an opportunity to organize the guarding with less forces, at the same strengthening operative, rapid reaction units and their role.
  
“Our task is ‘to stay fit’ all the time, to prevent any provocation, military action of the adversary with a retaliation to be targeted and disproportionate,” Abrahamyan added.