In response to recent remarks by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev regarding Armenia’s military acquisitions, the spokesperson for the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Ani Badalyan, clarified that Armenia’s procurement of weapons and equipment is strictly for self-defense and the protection of its citizens, as outlined by international law and the UN Charter. She highlighted that Azerbaijan’s aggressive rhetoric has become increasingly common despite Armenia having no hostile intentions towards any of its neighbors and fully respecting their territorial integrity.

Badalyan also pointed out that Armenia’s Constitutional Court recently confirmed the constitutionality of the regulations governing the joint activities of the Armenian and Azerbaijani border delimitation commissions, rejecting claims that Armenia has territorial ambitions against its neighbors. Although some Armenian territories are currently under Azerbaijani control, Armenia does not intend to regain them through military means, believing that the existing border commission framework provides an opportunity to address these issues peacefully.

Regarding Aliyev’s emphasis on Armenia’s military capabilities, Badalyan questioned whether these statements signal Azerbaijan’s preparation for further aggression. She expressed concerns that Azerbaijan might use the upcoming COP29 conference in Baku as a cover to initiate a new military action against Armenia, potentially leveraging the presence of international representatives to shift responsibility.

The spokesperson raised two key questions for Azerbaijan to clarify:

“a) Does Azerbaijan refrain from the agreements to recognize the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Armenia based on the Alma-Ata Declaration? I would like to emphasize once again that the Republic of Armenia reaffirms its commitment to the agreement reached with Azerbaijan on the basis of the Alma-Ata Declaration, i.e., to recognize each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within the administrative borders of the former Soviet Republics.

b) Does Azerbaijan refrain from the Peace Agenda? The Republic of Armenia reaffirms its commitment to the Peace Agenda and its readiness to sign the already agreed content with Azerbaijan as a peace treaty, as the Prime Minister of Armenia announced in his remarks at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.”

Badalyan concluded by stressing the need to move away from aggressive rhetoric and focus on finalizing the peace treaty and resolving issues under peaceful and legally recognized conditions.