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“The work of the defense minister is not only about making such statements but also secure statements with the relevant content,” Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told reporters on Wednesday when asked to comment on the recent statement of Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. To remind, speaking to the Russian EADaily Tonoyan warned that in an event of an attack by Azerbaijan, Armenia cannot be in the position to solicit peace and will use its capabilities to retaliate.

“We deem Artsakh’s involvement in the negotiation process as important. I have stated I can negotiate on behalf of the Republic of Armenia but cannot do that on behalf of the Artsakh Republic, as the latter has its own elected officials and structures. I have also stated that we are committed to the peaceful solution of the Karabakh conflict and there can be no second opinion on this,” the PM said at a briefing with reporters following the graduation ceremony of RA military institutions.  

In Pashinyan’s words, the matter is not about reconsidering relations [in the context of the NK conflict settlement] but being adequate to the existing situation, since no positions are fixed, and they should be adjusted to the reality.

“We think the settlement is important and possible through peaceful means, yet we also point to the need of creating favorable atmosphere for that. Regretfully, Azerbaijan disrupts the atmosphere of peace through its actions and rhetoric. We will respond adequately to the situation. If Azerbaijan reviews it stance and contributes to the establishment of an atmosphere of peace, we will again be adequate to the situation,” stressed Pashinyan.