Yeraskh steelworks owners unfazed by Azeri gunfire, construction to proceed normally – says mayor

YEREVAN, JUNE 15, ARMENPRESS. Yeraskh mayor Saro Ayvazyan said Thursday that there is no panic among the residents of the village regarding the recent Azerbaijani gunfire targeting a steel plant construction site.

The construction of the plant will proceed normally, he said.

Ayvazyan told ARMENPRESS that the Azerbaijani forces began shooting at Yeraskh in the past two days, with each shooting lasting about 15 to 20 minutes, and the target of the gunfire was the steelworks which is being built by Armenian and American businessmen.

“They [Azerbaijan] want to disrupt the construction of the plant and not allow our economy to develop. This is the main reason,” the mayor said.

The construction site is just 400 meters away from Azerbaijani positions, in their direct vicinity. However, the plant’s executives are determined to continue the construction with the same pace.

“Life proceeds normally in the village. A sports school is now being built in Yeraskh, as well as gas supply construction process is underway. All works are proceeding, there is no panic whatsoever,” Ayvazyan said.

Yeraskh residents can’t be intimidated with Azerbaijani gunfire, the mayor said.

Both locals and foreigners are employed by the plant in the construction process. The mayor said more jobs will be opened at the construction site during the process.