By means of threats and provocations on the contact line, Azerbaijan has shown its force with a view to gain influence on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, Armenia's Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan told journalists on Friday.
"They are trying to force Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh into concessions. In the early 1990s we defended our borders in a war imposed on us by the Azeris and now they are trying to force us into concessions but are offering nothing specific in exchange. This is unacceptable for us. What we want is mutual agreements that will lead to Nagorno-Karabakh's self-determination," Ohanyan said.
He said that Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh advocate peaceful settlement but in case of necessity are ready to protect their borders. "Today the situation on the Armenian-Azeri border and the contact line between the Azeri and Nagorno-Karabakh armies is stable. Each day we are recording some 3-4 shots on the border and 30-40 shots on the contact line," the Armenian DM said.