President Armen Sarkissian spoke of the recent military actions unleashed by Azerbaijan: we will not allow the specter of the Ottoman Empire to return

President Armen Sarkissian made today opening statement at the major international CYBERSEC-2020 event on cyber security which is held in cooperation with NATO. Among the participants of the event were the President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Margrethe Vestager, NATO Deputy Secretary Mircea Geoană, Vice Chair of the European Parliament Dita Charanzová, heads of defense agencies from different states and global companies.

CYBERSEC is one of the largest European conferences dedicated to cyber security which discusses challenges and threats created by new technologies, as well as digital solutions and opportunities to use technologies for the benefit of the public. The President of Armenia stressed in particular the importance of a dialogue in the modern world. “Dialogue is important. Dialogue is the solution, not technologies. Each new technology will be countered by a new one and if one tries to get protected only by technologies, most probably one will fail,” President Sarkissian said.

Noting that dialogue between humans is the most important thing, the President of Armenia spoke of the recent military actions undertaken by Azerbaijan, “Countries like Armenia face cyber threats every day, and they are coming not only from the neighboring Azerbaijan but also Turkey which is a member to NATO. Unfortunately, this virtual threats become more and more material.

You have probably heard that on Sunday Azerbaijan attacked the borders of Nagorno Karabakh. I have to state that a NATO member Turkey is fully supporting Azerbaijan with its electronic drones, as well as through cyber attacks, and with personnel – advisors, experts, and even F-16 fighters.

For the Armenians living anywhere in the world this is a return of the specter. If that specter was a virtual one at the beginning, now it has become material. Why I call it a specter? Because it’s a specter of the Ottoman Empire which 105 years ago planned and carried out the Armenian Genocide. There is no way we will allow that genocide to be repeated.

What’s the solution? In case of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict the solution is a dialogue among the parties. There is a platform – OSCE Minsk Group which has three Co-Chairs, Russia, France, and United States. We have to return to negotiations. In case of material and cyber conflicts there is only one solution – a dialogue.”

Responding to the remarks of President Sarkissian, the moderator of the conference said in particular, “We agree with you, Mr. President, that dialogue is important.

Speaking of dialogue and these difficult times, I would like to thank you once again for presenting your views. This how the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai assessed the situation. “NATO is deeply concerned by reports of large scale military hostilities along the line of contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. The sides should immediately cease hostilities, which have already caused civilian casualties. There is no military solution to this conflict. The parties should resume negotiations towards a peaceful resolution. NATO supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group.”