Azerbaijani Forces Have Not Withdrawn from Ishkhanasar: They May Be Hiding Due to Bad Weather, Says Vahe Hakobyan

“I believe the claims have no basis. The Azerbaijanis continue to remain in their positions. I am confident that we have not backed down a single millimeter. What would we back down for? Were we afraid of our Ministry of Defense?” stated Vahe Hakobyan, a member of the 'Armenia' parliamentary group, today in the National Assembly, addressing reports that Azerbaijani forces had withdrawn from the Ishkhanasar area and that such an agreement existed.

Hakobyan noted that he did not have such information. He advised verifying the information with the Ministry of Defense. He suggested that the Azerbaijanis may simply be hiding due to adverse weather conditions. “Since the weather conditions there are currently unfavorable, it seems that the Azerbaijanis have gone into hiding. It is simply impossible to stand there now; they have entered the structures they built. Therefore, there is no need to refer to some village head. Perhaps they are not visually visible, and such an opinion has formed with the village head,” he said.

When asked by reporters if he considers a withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops after the trilateral meeting in Sochi possible, Hakobyan retorted, “What happened in Sochi? Why should they withdraw? They see that they are facing a weak, toothless figure. How can they withdraw? Would you withdraw?”

In response to comments that withdrawal might be possible due to demarcation and delimitation works, Hakobyan questioned whether anyone has seen any document regarding this matter. “Literally, who believes Nikol Pashinyan? He can go to Sochi today and say, 'I am ready to sign,' and then go to Brussels tomorrow and say, 'They are telling me I need to sign, but I haven’t signed.' Who today bases their trust on his words?” said Hakobyan.