Araz Azimov: We will restore our territorial integrity by all means if Armenia insists on independence for Nagorno Karabakh

“Armenia is being supplied by its military ally, Russia,” Azimov, who is responsible for security issues at the foreign ministry, said in an interview with Reuters.

He said Moscow was equipping Armenia, its closest ally in the Caucasus, under cover of restocking its military hardware at the Russian military base in the Armenian town of Gyumri.

“We know that from time to time Russia is maintaining its presence in Gyumri. When new pieces are brought in, what happens to the old ones?” he said. “Things are coming in, and nothing is coming out.”

Azimov said Azerbaijan, by growing its economy, its military and its image as a stable partner for the West, was trying to convince Armenia of the need to compromise.

But he denied Azerbaijan was looking for war, saying: “It’s good to have a strong army, it’s even better not to use it.”

“We never said and we never say that we shall go to war with Armenia,” he said. But with Armenia insisting on independence for the region, “I have to say that in all circumstances and by all means we will restore territorial integrity.”