The Army Protects the People, Not Empty Territories: Kristine Vardanyan Demands Clarification

Identify the geographical points in the Republic of Armenia that you consider to be empty territories. This was asked today, August 9, in the National Assembly by "Armenia" faction MP Kristine Vardanyan to "Civil Contract" faction MP Vladimir Vardanyan.

“If we listen to you, we won’t eat or drink, and we will listen, as if there is an ideal situation in Armenia, and there are only two legal issues that we need to resolve for everything to be fine. Unfortunately, we do not live in your and the CP’s reality. On May 17, during a public discussion, you stated that our army protects the people, not certain empty territories. I ask you to specifically say what you mean by empty territories and to name those geographical points that you consider to be empty territories,” said Vardanyan.

Vladimir Vardanyan replied that the demand for new legal regulations is increasing, and they need to move forward: “That issue related to whether to eat or drink is very bad, and you should eat and drink; it can harm your health. I have never looked at legal acts through rose-colored glasses. We clearly understand that the legislative process is such that it is constant because social relations are developing, the demand for new legal regulations is increasing, and we must move forward.”

Addressing the question about “empty territories,” Vladimir Vardanyan stated, “An area that does not belong to anyone, your doctrine should be familiar; it refers to islands that may arise from a volcano somewhere. As for the role of the RA Armed Forces, I am not the one who should eliminate Article 14, the RA Armed Forces must fulfill their constitutional duties. My words cannot be distorted, they cannot be taken out of context, and I cannot be accused of calling for internal consolidation, which will allow us to protect our borders more effectively.”

Kristine Vardanyan said that Vladimir Vardanyan basically avoided answering her question. “Even with the example of islands you provided, please say if there is any geographical point in Armenia that you consider an empty territory, which under some conditions should not be protected by the RA army. If you do not want your words to be taken out of context and turned into such a story, you can apologize and say that you misspoke.”

Vladimir Vardanyan responded that any bush located at the state border of Armenia is under the protection of the RA army. “I think it is not I who should apologize, but another member of your faction and in relation to another issue. But I will say the following: any bush located at the state border of Armenia is under the protection of the RA army.”