The first Yerevan-Stepanakert flight may operate this spring, Prime Minister of the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic said.

“The issue needs humanitarian, rather than political solution, in view of people’s right to freedom of movement,” Ara Harutyunyan said in an interview with French Le Monde daily newspaper.

Dwelling on Azerbaijan’s threats to shoot down Stepanakert-bound planes, Harutyunyan said, “Azeri attacks on civil planes will signal a new war.”

He further noted that use of air force by Azerbaijan will get a response, as NKR possesses air defense systems.