Yerevan/Mediamax/. President of Armenia, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armenian Armed Forces Serzh Sargsyan attended the meeting dedicated to the Board adjunct to the Armenian Defense Minister and the 23rd anniversary of the Armenian Army, during which he touched upon the tension and losses on the border.

“I believe nobody doubts that the Azerbaijanis will pay a high price for the blood of each of our soldiers – they have paid, are paying and will pay a high price in the future as well”, said Serzh Sargsyan noting: ''It’s no secret that by juxtaposing the political and military resources, Azerbaijani authorities attempt to create constant tension around us. It’s a policy of simple blackmail which is not addressed to us but rather to the international community. Adhering to “Everything Only for Me” absurd modus operandi and thus failing in the negotiation process, official Baku is trying to let everyone know what it can do if its whims are not satisfied, without understanding and without serious analysis of the horrible implications it might bear for it, first of all”.

In his speech, the Armenian President stated that “we have no reason to abet war. We ourselves do not provoke incidents and you are well aware of it. And we do not initiate any attack. We don’t need it at all. However, you have paid and will pay for any action launched against us. The retaliatory actions we have launched until recently were symmetric in their type and asymmetric in inflicting heavier casualties”.

“From now on, measures of asymmetric retribution in their type might also be taken. The hotheads should expect various surprises. Moreover, in case of greater and more threatening accumulations on the border and along the contact line we reserve the right to deliver preventive blows. Let nobody think we will sit idle waiting for the calamity to hit our houses. We ought to be ferocious towards those preparing that calamity against us. I would like to state once again that the daring conduct of anybody towards us will force us to proceed along the path of irreparable damages”, said the President.

“We remain convinced that coming to terms is the right way, including continuation of negotiations and reaching agreements within the known principles, but it’s possible only if the ceasefire is not violated and bridges of trust are built. Nobody has achieved anything good by burning bridges and nobody will.

Once again, I am telling everyone that we are ready for both the good and the bad. I have all possible options on my table. We can and we ought to hold peace negotiations with a sober partner. But we ought to and we will by all means impose peace on a non-sober rival”, said the President.