A Focus on Turkey's Negative Role in the Region is Necessary, Says Ara Aivazyan to Le Monde

The French prestigious newspaper "Le Monde" published another article by reporter Fostin Vincent, who was dispatched to Armenia, on March 19. As reported by "Armenpress", the journalist conducted interviews with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ara Aivazyan, Director of the Regional Studies Center Richard Giragosian, as well as with residents of Armenia.

The article discusses the statement made on November 9, as well as the deployment of 1,960 Russian soldiers to Nagorno-Karabakh for a five-year period to maintain peace. It notes that Russian military personnel are also stationed in southeastern Armenia, specifically in Syunik. "Those who are stationed in Armenia, in Syunik, are not part of that military contingent. They are playing the role of mediators to prevent tensions between residents of border villages in Armenia and Azerbaijani soldiers," clarified the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

Fostin Vincent also refers to the comments made by the Minister of Defense of Armenia Vagharshak Harutyunyan on February 22, indicating that Yerevan is inclined to expand the Russian military base located in Gyumri since 1995 in the country's north-west, and that Russia will also assist in reforming the Armenian army. The Minister added, "Considering the experience in Karabakh, we need to radically reassess and optimize our capabilities and the number of our forces." Efforts will be directed towards enhancing control, intelligence, air defense systems, drones, missiles, and artillery development.

The author of the article touches upon how Nikol Pashinyan came to power after the popular and peaceful revolution in 2018, overthrowing a corrupt post-Soviet regime. The Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that attention should be focused on Turkey's negative role in the region, regrettably adding that despite its obviousness, the entire world turns a blind eye to this fact. Regarding Russia's role, Ara Aivazyan emphasized that Russia is our traditional ally and it is thanks to them that we avoided disaster. And today, it is Russia that allows us to avoid new tensions.