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Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan on Thursday responded to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. Her full statement is provided below.

"Yet another statement made today by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan about provocative actions by the army of the Republic of Armenia on the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border defies explanation.

Proposals made publicly and also through the diplomatic channels of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia to create a joint mechanism between Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding investigation of border incidents and/or information about them, remain unanswered by Azerbaijan. The establishment of such a mechanism would make it possible to clarify any situation and would have prevented the spread of false information.

At the same time, attempts to involve the Republic of Armenia in rhetoric of escalation are unacceptable. The Government of the Republic of Armenia remains committed to the peace agenda and will not deviate from this strategy.

As regards the reforms of the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia and the acquisition of weapons and equipment, we have repeatedly stated that having a combat-capable army is the sovereign right of any country, and the Republic of Armenia does not have any other goal in the field of defense and security beyond the protection of its internationally recognized territory. In the process of army reforms, the Republic of Armenia operates exclusively within the framework of international law.

Also, we would like to recall the proposal of the Republic of Armenia, also presented to Azerbaijan through diplomatic channels and publicly, to create a mechanism of mutual arms control and sign a corresponding agreement, which Azerbaijan also left unanswered. Nevertheless, this offer also still stands."