Then, the NSS has grounds to consider it Azerbaijani territory: Vahe Qalumyan

Hraparak.am conducted an interview with Vahe Qalumyan, a member of the "Civil Contract" faction and a family member of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan:

- Mr. Qalumyan, the government allocated a considerable amount of money for the celebration planned for September 21, as Pashinyan stated, to organize a "colorful celebration", in response to which a wave of public dissatisfaction arose. They say there are countless problems in the country, many mothers in black have not found their sons' remains, there are health issues for the wounded, yet you are spending money on a colorful celebration.

- Yes, there will be a festive event dedicated to independence, but there will be neither colorful fireworks nor any major event. If I am not mistaken, a symphonic concert is planned.

- A festive event in memory of the victims?

- It will not be in memory of the victims, do not distort it; it will be dedicated to the 30th anniversary of independence.

- Haven't you seen the government session, haven't you heard Pashinyan saying that the colorful celebration will primarily be dedicated to the memory of our fallen?

- I haven't heard.

- In post-war mourning Armenia, there are thousands of problems; what will this colorful celebration give us, the families who have lost children and relatives in the war?

- The country will not have a colorful celebration, as far as I know, wait and judge after the 21st whether it was colorful or not.

- Perhaps the government has reconsidered, seeing the flashmob of mothers in black, and will cancel the event?

- I haven't seen such a protest; of course, the parents have the right, but I believe that celebrating the 30th anniversary of independence is important, and our fallen have died for that independence and for tomorrow.

- But a celebration with...?

- You know what, that day is a holiday and will always be a holiday, regardless of any situation; the situation will just affect the level at which the holiday will be celebrated.

- Recently, state orders for health care for disabled soldiers were suspended, now there is no money for their health, yet millions are planned for the event in the square, about 2 million dollars.

- We need to understand how much money has been allocated before discussing it; I am not sure that the expenses will be very high. This is not about having or not having a heart; that day exists, and there should be a commemoration.

- Will you personally participate in that event?

- I don't know; it’s a free day, I might be in Ijevan.

- You say we cannot neglect independence; you are criticized, saying that in the three years of your government, you have destroyed the country so much that it is hard to assess whether Armenia has real independence or not...

- They are wrong.

- For example, where is our independence when the Turk has invaded our sovereign territory for three or four months and is not leaving, while your government is not taking steps to liberate its borders from the enemy?

- I do not want to comment on those issues; ask other questions. These are questions we need to solve.

- The Minister of Defense was boasting that he ordered to destroy all who violate our borders; so can we say that the area around Lake Sevan belongs to the Azerbaijanis? Why aren’t you destroying the enemy violating the border?

- I should not be the one to destroy... this is an issue the state has chosen such a policy for, and the process is ongoing. It’s a complicated issue; right now, work is being done for it to be resolved.

- People say, if you at least captured a few of them, we would exchange them with our captives; we saw the last exchange, didn’t we?

- It's not that only you have vision, we also see, and besides, you are touching upon questions that don’t necessarily need to be discussed publicly.

- For several days now, Azerbaijanis have set up a checkpoint on the Goris-Kapan highway segment, and the NSS reported that it is their territory. If it is their territory, why is there no alternative route for our compatriots?

- I have nothing to add to the official statement.

- So you agree that it is Azerbaijani territory.

- It’s not a matter of agreeing or not; there has been no delimitation and demarcation to consider it or not.

- Then does this not raise a question for you: why does our NSS consider it Azerbaijani territory if there has been no delimitation?

- Then it has grounds.

- There are rumors that similar two checkpoints will soon be established in Tavush as well.

- I do not wish to comment on rumors.

- Do you exclude this?

- Neither do I exclude it nor do I know what you are talking about.