Large-scale military actions in the Karabakh conflict zone may resume at any moment. The statement came from President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in an interview with France24.TV.
The president said Armenia is capable of rebuffing any attack. He accepts that Armenia is concerned over the incidents on the Line of Contact that may escalate tensions. "Armenia does not want war. I don't want war either. However, I am not afraid to fight," he said.
As for the growing tension between Russia and the West, Serzh Sargsyan said that cold war is in favor of no one. He said that Armenia tries its best to reconcile Europe and Russia. "We have always strived to have good relations with Europe, NATO and U.S. On the other hand, Armenia and Russia are strategic allies and Moscow greatly helps the country. We are ready to do everything possible to avoid higher tensions," the president said.
Asked if he trusts President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Sargsyan said he has very good relations with him. Serzh Sargsyan called it quite natural that Vladimir Putin is going to visit Yerevan on April 24 to attend the Armenian Genocide Centennial commemorations. Otherwise, it would look strange, he said. He also thanked French President Francois Hollande for the decision to visit Armenia on April 24.
Commenting on the current situation in the Armenian-Turkish relations, Sargsyan said Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide is, inherently, repetition of genocide. President Erdogan did not commit genocide. Neither his surroundings did, he said. However, their denial policy leads to repetition of genocides. Serzh Sargsyan said that his Turkish counterpart is well aware how important date is the Armenian Genocide Centennial for Armenians. The Turkish authorities see the growing number of the countries that recognize the Genocide, therefore, he said, they have probably decided to take measures against it.
Asked if Erdogan's refusal to visit Armenia in April 24 will spoil the two leaders relations forever, Sargsyan said: "never say never". The president said Armenia deals with a person who little cares for the opinion of the world community, a person who tries his best to justify the deeds of his predecessors. It has become a vital task for him, Sargsyan said.
On April 24, Armenia is set to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian genocide, which saw the deportation and deaths of up to 1.5 million Armenians during World War I.