Armenia’s PM says Russia might be interested in implementation of anti-terrorist operation in Karabakh

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in an interview to Russian Interfax referred to his vision of solution of the issue of terrorists.

He said one option is implementation of anti-terrorist operation but not only by Armenian forces.

“Nagorno Karabakh forces are doing it as much as it is possible. Practically, now they are fighting in three fronts – against Azerbaijan’s army, Turkey’s army and terrorists. But I think that I am not the only addressee in this issue, as we of course, ensure anti-terrorist operations as much as it is possible. I think countries which face concrete threat to their national security must intervene,” the PM said.

Asked whether Russia and Iran are among these countries and whether he talked to them over the issue Pashinyan said, “Indeed, first of all here we see Russia’s interests. I want to draw your attention to the circumstance that during the Nagorno Karabakh war there were at least two cases when anti-terrorist operations were implemented in the South Caucasus. And Russia’s official representatives said that these terrorists arrived from Syria. Before that Russia’s foreign intelligence confirmed the presence of terrorists in Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone,” Pashinyan said, adding that these two statements cannot be separated from one another.

“The issue is whether the Russian services will wait for the terrorists to arrive or will carry out preventive policy. If the terrorists register success in Nagorno Karabakh they will search for new platzdarm and new platforms for their actions. It is for the Russian Federation to decide. But we had consultations over the issue with Russian colleagues and expressed our point of view,” Pashinyan said.

As to whether the preventive actions may be implemented both in the territory of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan and whether it may be considered invitation of third forces to intervene to the conflict, Armenia’s PM said, “It is necessary to clarify what the third forces mean as on one hand Russia is OSCE Minsk Group co-chair country, on the other, it is the strategic ally of the Republic of Armenia. And Russia’s president stated that the Russian Federation will be committed to its obligations in relations with the Republic of Armenia. It is an issue that needs to be revised in future. There are many nuances there. What I am telling is that the situation has long gone out of the circle of Nagorno Karabakh conflict and in practice, many foreign colleagues have officially admitted, recognized, confirmed it. I think and I really hope that the future response will be in this spirit,” Pashinyan said.