Armenian Defense Minister: Armenia does not see any reason to engage other international bodies or states into the process of Karabakh settlement

The statement was made by Defense Minister of Armenia Seyran Ohanian, speaking at tje Scientific Conference «Revaluation of safe atmosphere for the South Caucasus: Regional conflicts, stability and transformation" in Yerevan.

Stressing the importance of the mediation of the OSCE mission, the Minister noted that at the same time, there are challenges and threats in the region. "In particular, the immediate military threat to Armenia is the Karabakh conflict and the lack of mutually agreed political and regulatory basis for the settlement of the conflict, the militarization policy pursued by Azerbaijan, the desire to achieve military superiority and the settlement of the Karabakh conflict by military means", said S. Ohanyan.

Among the threats the Minister also noted the blockade of Armenia and policy of its isolation in the region. S. Ohanyan reminded that the truce agreement, which operates to this day, was signed 15 years ago. Despite this, the armed forces of Azerbaijan periodically violate the truce and attempt to destabilize the situation in the region".

"Armenia has always advocated the peaceful settlement of the conflict based on mutual concessions. Unfortunately, the same can not be said about Azerbaijan", said the minister.

In this context, a more serious cause for concern, according to the minister, is the policy of Azerbaijan on the large-scale military rearmament and a sharp increase in military budget.

"Azerbaijan has repeatedly exceeded the norms of the CFE Treaty, which constitutes a serious threat to the fragile stability in the region. This policy is accompanied by statements on forced resolution of the the Karabakh conflict by force, voiced at the highest level, which raises serious concerns about the real goals of Azerbaijan", noted the Minister.

/Panorama.am/