Today We Have Let Our Security Slip and Are Dealing with Unknown Issues: Reserve Officers

The reserve colonel of the Armenian Armed Forces, political science candidate Aleksan Minasian and reserve lieutenant colonel Arsen Vardanyan addressed the current tensions at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border during a meeting with media today. As reported by Aravot, they discussed the ongoing challenges and the need for a stronger military.

“The border tensions are not just today’s occurrence. They were present yesterday, will be tomorrow, and will always exist. Where there are problems, border tensions are inevitable. We must manage these tensions in a way that allows us to emerge favorably. For this, we must be strong and have a strong army,” said Aleksan Minasian.

Arsen Vardanyan also expressed that Armenia has always faced issues related to border tensions. “After the collapse of the USSR, our borders have almost always been tense. Over the years, no one has recognized the reality, and no real efforts have been made to maintain and develop them. We had favorable positions in every aspect, a buffer zone in military terms, that cut off direct contact between settlements and our real borders. We gradually relinquished that, and all authorities share some blame in this. Today, we have let our security slip, and we are engaging in unknown issues. Many lawmakers do not understand what military service, a serviceman, or officer is or what their problems are. People enjoy the comforts of their positions, thinking about increasing their expenses without realizing that our security is weak today. Without considering that the funds they pocket should go to our army, fortification structures, and many other issues that have not received attention,” added Vardanyan.

They were discussing the issue of corridors, and it was supposedly closed. The Prime Minister stated yesterday in his speech that there would be no corridors. But there will be roads. How can that be possible when the Azerbaijanis have an ongoing issue with me, having killed my brother and friends for 30 years? How can they come and travel through Armenia to go to Georgia? The question is that we need to focus on our real problems, building our army,” Vardanyan concluded.