July 11, 2012 - 18:30 AMT
Azeri military drills at contact line linked to Artsakh presidential poll –NKR official

The Chairman of NKR Public Council on Foreign Policy and Security commented on Ria.ru Russian news agency’s July 11 report suggesting Azerbaijan has launched a military drill on the line of contact.

As Masis Mailyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, the exercises are in all probability linked to July 19 presidential elections in Artsakh.

“Such drills are usually organized by both Armenia and Azerbaijan, yet the fact that they’re held on the threshold of polls can only be linked with the event in question.”

Mailyan characterized Baku’s move as another attempt to affect democratic processes in Artsakh. However, the official expressed confidence for successful elections, with people of Artsakh to once again prove their adherence to democratic values.