NK is not earnest about the Azerbaijani threats on Stepanakert airport

Yerevan, July 17, ARMENPRESS: The flights of the aircraft from the Stapanakert airport are going to be implemented without crossing any other country, including Azerbaijani air border: Armenia via the territory of Nagorno Karabakh; the chief of the NK President’s Staff Information Department David Babayan mentioned in the interview with “Armenpress”, touching upon the Azerbaijani threats that those flights are illegal and are considered to be air border violation.

“The opponent’s statements should not worry us. He knows our territorial integrity. As to the fact that Azerbaijan may resort military actions, it will be considered as a very rude step to the regional security destruction”, Babayan stated. In his word the aircraft will be fully secured as they are going to fly over the territory of Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia.

The Chief of the Civil Aviation Department under NK government Dmitri Adbashyan stressed that Azerbaijan is now an ICAO member and once signed a convention, according which the civil aircraft should not be threatened even if they enter the Azerbaijani airspace without warning. “We are not earnest about the Azerbaijani threats. Recently the Azeris have weakened their positions, as they do not talk about destroying the aircraft”, Adbashyan briefed.

The Head of the Information Department of NKR Defense Army Senor Hasratyan in the conversation with “Armenpress” outlined that they do not deal with the security of the civil aircraft. “Another matter is when the enemy planes violate our airspace, in this case appropriate measures will be operated”, added Hasratyan.

“Armenpress” has reported that during their regional visit, July 10-13, the Minsk Group Co-Chairs received assurances that there would be no force against civil aircraft, the problem will take a diplomatic form and will not be politicized. The Co-Chairs urged the sides to conduct flights in their areas according to the international law and the current practice.

Earlier, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry and the State Department of Civil Aviation stated that the flights to the Stepanakert airport are illegal.