Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan: Minsk Group gave Azerbaijan green light, however…

Before recognizing Artsakh, it is necessary first of all to clarify its borders, according to Major-General Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan (nicknamed as Comandos).

"On December 10, 1991 Artsakh adopted a declaration of independence. The ceasefire agreement was signed in May 1994. It stipulated that all the territories which we liberated should be within the borders of Artsakh. It's unclear today what borders are meant and what concessions are being discussed. Armenia and Artsakh are no longer perceived as a single unity," he told a news conference today.

"I am in favor of the recognition of Artsakh but I don't understand what we mean by saying Artsakh. I don't know whether to accept the 1991 or 1994 clauses determining its borders. I can't imagine Artsakh without Kelbajar and Lachin, but the return of those territories is not being discussed presently," Commandos stressed.

Mr Ter-Tadevosyan also attached importance to Armenia's recognition of Artsakh Republic, as a step towards the country's international recognition.

The Major-General expressed uncertainty about the further course of the negotiation process in view of new statements being made by Minsk Group and the tendencies to replace "liberated territories" with "occupied lands" and using the word "Khankendi" instead of "Stepanakert."

"Minsk group seems to have given the green light to Azerbaijan but they will never resume the war as they are perfectly aware of Armenians' patriotism and their readiness to die for their homeland. Azerbaijan will not resume the war as it is aware we are a strong nation and have a strong army," the speaker stressed.

With regard to the recent trilateral meeting of Armenia, Azerbaijani and Russian presidents in Astrakhan, Russia, Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan expressed belief that Azerbaijan will breach both agreements and later blame everything on Armenia.