GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION REPRESENTATIVES ARE IN THE SAME TRENCH WHEN THE MATTER IS THE BORDERS' PROTECTION
What conclusions have we made from the April war? MPs from the two Armenian states assessed the events themselves and learned the details from the soldiers serving on the frontline.
Recently, a delegation of the RA National Assembly's Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs has paid a working visit to Artsakh. Together with their Artsakh counterparts, the MPs from Armenia visited some sections of the frontline. Vitaly Balasanyan joined the delegation – partly as a former member of the relative Committee, partly – as the newly appointed Secretary of the NKR Security Council.
The meeting of members of the NKR NA Standing Committee on Defense, Security, and Legal Issues and the Republic of Armenia’s National Assembly Standing Committees on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs took place near the frontline. What conclusions have been made from the April war, are the innovations introduced on the frontline in the recent months efficient, what reforms are planned, and what is needed there? The MPs talked to those who are directly responsible for the security of the state border.
The conversation was continued in the trenches. After the April war, the ceasefire is relatively maintained, but it is from time to time violated by the enemy’s provocations. “After the April war, the firing decreased. We respond only when commanded”, said the Defense Army soldier, Sargis Mirzoyan. “The firing intensifies especially at night and in the early morning. They fire from small arms and hand grenades; also, snipers are active. If necessary, we respond to them”, said the Defense Army Lieutenant-Colonel, Masis Emiryan.
Chairman of the RA Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs Koryun Nahapetyan paid another visit to the frontline after the April war. This visit is important for him and the Committee members, as the impressions will be reflected in the Budget-2017 debates. «In this context, I'd like to stress the importance of this visit, because the observations will help us assess the 2017 budget also in terms of protecting the security of our country», he said. The pro-government and opposition political forces of Armenia agree that Armenia's security starts from the trenches of Artsakh. «Our homeland's borders start from this trench. I think every Armenian, every citizen of the Republic of Armenia should have his contribution to the protection of our homeland», said Mr. Nahapetyan.
Such visits and meetings are important both for MPs and the military. «Any visit of the kind is justified. We familiarize with the situation and the soldiers' everyday life in place. And why not - visiting the positions from time to time, we exchange our experiences with soldiers. As for the meetings in this format, they are both planned and extraordinary. This is also an important platform for discussions. Finally, the Defense Ministries of Armenia and Artsakh carry out the same mission - protection of the state border», said the NKR Security Council Secretary, Vitaly Balasanyan.
The working visit of the delegation of the RA National Assembly's Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs Standing Committee to Artsakh lasted from 4 to 6 November. In the frameworks of the visit, the delegation members had meetings with top officials and a joint meeting with members of the Artsakh NA partner Committee.
Norayr HOVSEPYAN