Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, August 12 that Armenia has no intention of conquering territories. According to him, the armed forces must be reformed and become stronger in order to be able to defend the nation from possible aggression.

"We have no intention of conquering territories. Our aim is to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity," Pashinyan told the government. "We do not have aggressive intentions, and [establishing] peace and stability in the region is our long-term strategy."

Speaking about relations with neighbors, Pashinyan said that the deepening or normalization of ties with countries next door will be one of the priorities of the Armenian government's foreign policy.

Also Thursday, Pashinyan said Armenia is ready to engage in negotiations with Azerbaijan at a high and the highest levels.