Armenia proposed Azerbaijan to create a joint mechanism for arms control, but is yet to received a response, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said at a press conference today.
He said arms purchase is the sovereign right of any country. “It is the sovereign right of the Republic of Armenia to purchase armaments for the protection of its borders. This does not mean we have concrete concerns. Even if we have any, you know that we recognize the territorial integrity of all neighbors, and expects the same from them. We have excluded any intention of military actions against neighbors, and expects a similar behavior from neighbors,” the Foreign Minister said.
At the same time, he said, Armenia is reforming the army, and arms purchase is a component of those reforms.
“Of course we have seen the arms being used against Armenia and its territorial integrity. That’s one of the reasons why we have proposed Azerbaijan to create a joint mechanism for arms control. However, this proposal remains unanswered to date like many other constructive proposals,” Ararat Mirzoyan stated.
The Foreign Minister confirmed that Armenia will continue to purchase armaments exceptionally for defense purposes.
