As you are aware, this morning we had an incident on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, and I consider it important to inform you of what took place. This was stated by Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on 27 May during a government session.
“Six servicemen of the RA Armed Forces were carrying out border demarcation works on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. Mine-laying operations were carried out, and I want to particularly emphasise that these were done with the placement of warning signs. That is, they were not done for diversionary (infiltration) purposes. These operations were carried out to raise the level of defence of our border. Of course, subsequently there was information that our soldiers had been taken captive. The circumstances, of course, still need to be clarified, but this is, in essence, not a capture. What took place is the abduction of our servicemen from the territory of the Republic of Armenia. You are aware that since 12 May, units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces have also been present in those territories, and the issue is precisely in this context. I want to particularly emphasise that the processes taking place are absolutely unacceptable to us. Incidents of this kind occur because some want to make us come to terms with the presence of Azerbaijani forces on our territory, which cannot happen.
It must be noted that the incident took place on our territory, our six servicemen had the task of border demarcation, which is continuously taking place along the entire length of the border. I consider it very important that on the occasion of this incident, the issue must not be used at all for domestic political purposes.
I believe that all attempts to use this situation against the army and the Armed Forces must be condemned,” declared Nikol Pashinyan.
He also added that the incidents of recent days record that this is by no means an ordinary situation, as there is an attempt to present it, particularly by the Azerbaijani authorities: “This is a direct threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, which is a gross violation of international law. This is a case in which the Republic of Armenia must use all those international levers to correct and regulate the situation. We will take all necessary measures for that.
It is very important that clear information be provided about what happened and its context, so that Azerbaijani disinformation does not spread, including in the Armenian media space. I believe that our public today must be all the more united around our army and state institutions, so that we overcome this situation,” said the Acting Prime Minister.
He emphasised that the adversary’s two goals must be recorded and managed: “One of the goals is to develop the situation in such a way that the presence of their armed forces on our territory is seen as an ordinary thing. The second scenario is to provoke a military clash, with the aim of taking the situation out of control. We must not give in to either of these two goals. The Azerbaijani armed forces must unconditionally withdraw from the territory of the Republic of Armenia. Secondly, in all situations we will remain sober and prudent; the management of provocations must be carried out prudently. The Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia must fulfil their functions of protecting and strengthening the borders and preserving territorial integrity. However difficult the situations we are going through today, nervous (irritable) and unbalanced actions, statements and postures are by no means appropriate.”
