Serzh Sargsyan: "Azerbaijan openly violates the terms of the ceasefire"

Today, the President, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Serzh Sargsyan held a meeting in RA Ministry of Defense in expanded format, which was attended by leadership of the legislative, executive and judicial power.

The meeting was devoted to two important events for the defense and security of Armenia in 2012: summing up the outcome of the CSTO exercise "Cooperation - 2012" and command post exercises.

The heads of the parliamentary factions and leaders of the National Assembly, the Secretary of the National Security Council, members of the Government, the leaders of the State and Territory governments, the Defense Ministry and senior officers attended the meeting.

The Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan delivered a speech at the meeting, presenting the situation around Armenian military-political situation, current challenges and ways to overcome them, also referred to the purpose of the national military exercises, their methods and results.

During the meeting the President of Armenia, the Supreme Chief Serzh Sargsyan also delivered a speech.

Speaking about Azerbaijan, we should not forget that there is a state in the region, which fully supports the anti-Armenian policy of Baku. Formed under the slogan "One nation, two states" Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem for about 20 years by deepening divisions and the blockade of Armenia, excluding the possibility of trying to get cooperation from Armenia unilateral concessions.

This was stated by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the meeting of the enlarged way in the Ministry of Defense.

The President also mentioned about Artsakh. "Destiny of Artsakh is in the hands of Artsakh people. It is fixed by the international law, and by many international documents. Thus, ull participation of Karabakh authorities in negotiations becomes a must.

Our approaches towards Artsakh conflict settlement correspond with the requirements of the international community, which surely speaks about the fact that we are perceptible and predictable partners for everyone. Our approaches are rational and balanced, and which is more important we consider everyone’s perspectives of stable, peaceful and sustained development in the region. However this circumstance should not console us.

Our most powerful guarantee to reach that goal is the strong country and strong army, stable and developed Armenia and educated and efficient soldiers. The essential part of that strength and stability in our country is the consolidation of the democratic institutions, defended citizen, loving family, prosperous villages and modern cities. We have to work for all these day and night and think about strengthens of our country."

Serzh Sargsyan also noted that "the imposition of the Azerbaijani-Armenian society and war propaganda is a threat to regional security."

"An entire generation is growing in Azerbaijan, full of hatred against the Armenian people. As a result, the people of Azerbaijan for a long time will not be ready for peaceful coexistence, even if able to reach an agreement over the Karabakh problem," said the President of Armenia.