Video: There is a danger of losing Syunik, this is a state problem - Robert Kocharyan

There is no guarantee that our borders are adequately protected. This was stated by the second President of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, during a meeting with his supporters. It should be noted that this meeting took place on April 21.

According to him, it is primarily the army, the armed forces, and the overall security system that should protect the borders.

“Now, the authorities say that Russia has an obligation under a bilateral agreement as our military-political ally to defend us. Yes, it does, but what does military-political ally mean? It means that you have an army, it has an army, you have a contract, and you create a military alliance in which you participate with your army, and Russia with its army. Within the framework of the CSTO, all member countries participate in that alliance with their armies. If in Armenia, they think they can dissolve the army, have it for three months every five years with some incomprehensible gatherings, you cannot do that. For example, in NATO member countries, it is mandatory to spend 2 percent of GDP on defense issues. This is what a military-political alliance is.

If your army is not combat-ready, if the state of your army is what we have today, it means that we should say that we are not able to defend ourselves, and Russia should keep us. Then change your status, say that I am asking for a protectorate, sign a different contract, say that I don’t need an army, or that there is no such danger, or that I am not capable, come and defend me,” Kocharyan stated.

He expressed conviction that we must restore our capabilities and our army at an extremely fast pace. “Otherwise, that military-political alliance is meaningless. Because one side is not making sufficient investments to participate in that alliance. Six months have passed, have you heard any discussions in the National Assembly regarding our security issues? Have you seen any government decision relating to our armed forces? They talk about some incomprehensible reforms,” Kocharyan noted.

Kocharyan remembered that in the spring and summer of 2020, the country’s security concept was adopted, which does not include the phrase Republic of Artsakh. “A few months later, this war occurred, and no changes were made to that document. Today, nothing is being done regarding security issues. Yes, we have Russia, which has an obligation under the contract, but if we do not fulfill our part of the obligations, then the big question is whether our security is guaranteed or not. This is why the President of Azerbaijan makes such statements, because he sees what is happening in the country, he sees our situation, and he can say whatever he wants, trample on our dignity as he wishes,” he added.