Artsrun Hovhannisyan: During the entire year Armenian Armed Forces did not allow the adversary to advance a millimeter

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS. The passing 2015 year is considered as a year of unprecedented tension for the Army and Armed Forces of Armenia, which caused losses, new problems, but naturally, further strengthened and reinforced the combat abilities of the Armenian Armed Forces. “Armenpress” summed up the activities and achievements of the Armenian Armed Forces with SpokespersonofArmenian Defense Minister Artsrun Hovhannisyan.

Border tension and war situation

Though 2014 was also a tense year, but military experts assess the passing year as some steps ahead in terms of tension. “Intensive diversion attempts were made since January. Using heavy artillery became usual this year, from small mortars to large howitzers. This can be considered not a large-scale but a full war considering the number of casualties and shootings: A war with all its supportive words like slow, not intensive, hybrid, peaceful war. From merely military viewpoint the tension has not led to any changes. Neither side has a big advantage over the other nor the side undertaking aggressions has been able to move forward by a centimeter”, Hovhannisyan said, stating that the tension resulted in unprecedented changes in terms of subverting the negotiation process, changing the general public mood, impacting the public opinion. “The last meeting of the Presidents was called by many not a meeting for peace, but for not starting a war. The situation is so tense and war is so near that such meetings give a little of hope that a large-scale war will not break out”, the spokesperson noted. To the question what prevents starting a large-scale war, Hovhannisyan stated that he has no authorization to make political assessments but he quoted the opinions of the experts. “For example, spokesperson of NKR President Davit Babayan introduced some points explaining why Azerbaijan cannot wage a large-scale war. Azerbaijan’s domestic instability, the desire of Aliyev’s clan to enjoy wealth and so on are among those points”.

Achievements of the army

The military expert states that it is difficult for an army man to speak about great achievements considering the tense situations, victims, the use of heavy weapons, but achievements exist anyway. “Of course, the leadership of the army would desire to document all the achievements in peaceful conditions. But generally said, the increase of combat capability of the army may be regarded as an achievement, because no matter how paradoxical it can be sounded, that tension is one of the factors for gaining combat capabilities, as army is the entity that demonstrates itself best in combat situations.

About relations with the CSTO

The CSTO, as a military-political establishment, is perceived by the Armenian Armed Forces as a platform of real international format and cooperation with that establishment is very important, as Armenia demonstrates its abilities and skills there. “We made use of the opportunity to jointly develop, educate, arm, specialize, and demonstrate skills. And in that regard our cooperation with the CSTO should be considered as fruitful and perspective”, the spokesperson of Armenian Defense Minister said.

Armenia ensuring international security

Armenia cooperates with international organizations in carrying out peace-keeping missions and in that regard the geography expands all the time. “It is the quality demonstration of our Armed Forces. This year the Armenian Armed Forces received a special certificate allowing forming special units at a battalion level, which is an important factor and our neighboring countries do not pass that stage so easily”, Hovhannisyan mentioned.

Hasmik Harutyunyan