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Secretary of the Artsakh Security Council, Hero of Artsakh Vitaly Balasanyan assures that in the future the country’s borders with Azerbaijan will be clarified and the parts of the Askeran region and the Hadrut region will be returned to Artsakh.

"I don’t want to instill hope in our people, but to assure that we will take steps to that end," he said in an interview to Artsakh Public TV on Monday, explaining that it should be done through political means.

Balasanyan noted that except for the large number of victims, Artsakh is in a much better situation now than after the war in 1990s to resolve territorial, political and military issues

"We have started meetings with heads of all regions and armed forces. I want to call on the people to actively participate in the military recruitment on a contractual basis. Everyone is obliged to carry out military service, they will be paid a high salary. This is the sacred duty of all of us. In the near future we will create border troops, permanent troops. We will have contract reservists and militia," he said, adding that the Defense Army will be subordinate to the Security Council.

He unveiled plans to step up anti-terrorism measures in the country, adding the National Security Service and police will ramp up efforts.

"The terrorists [fighting against Artsakh on Azerbaijan’s side in the recent war] have not gone away, they are close to our borders. I do not want to intimidate our people, but we will not allow any terrorist attacks," he said.

Balasanyan urged the people of Artsakh to be vigilant and to refrain from the use of drugs and alcohol. Also, the security chief said sectarian organizations will not be allowed to continue operating in the country.

“I would like to warn that from January 1, the services will be tightened up on the streets, this applies to all, both members of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and those living in Artsakh," he said.