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"Some people believe that is Pashinyan is replaced, the war will resume. That is not true," Vazgen Manukyna, the candidate for the PM's post from the united opposition forces stated on Saturday in Vanadzor. Manukyan, along with representatives of Homeland Salvation Movement, is visiting Lori province as part of the Movement's regional tour. 

Manukyan explained that no-one will dare to start a war with an army that needs some 2-3 years to recover. "But let me put this way. Artsakh and Armenia have never started a war. Whenever they were involved in a war, they were able to break the enemy and move forward. This will be case in the future as well. We are not the ones who instigate wars. Yet we are firm to resist and not let our interests be ignored," Manukyan said. 

In the words of the opposition figure, there can be no strong country without a strong army and no well-being can be achieved without a strong country. Manukyan brought the example of Switzerland, noting that despite its longstanding neutrality, the country still maintains an army which is one of the best modern armies in the world with investments worth billions of dollars.   

"In the Artsakh issue, we should restore the OSCE Minsk Group negotiations, demand to guarantee the territorial integrity of Artsakh in line with international law.There can be no concession here," Manukyan said. Another important step prioritized by the opposition candidate remains the restoration of relations with allies such as Russia, China, Iran and other friendly states that were seriously damaged over the past years. 

"That was done to please the US. Yes, the United States is a major power. But what we got? We lost almost everything without getting anything," said Manukyan, adding the political mathematics requires that any enemy to Turkey should become an ally to Armenia.