“Azerbaijan has chosen the mining industry as a target, taking into account its role in the economic growth of Armenia. By targeting the mining industry in Armenia, Azerbaijan is actually trying to hit the economy of Armenia,” Vardan Jhanyan, Chairman of the Union of Miners and Metallurgists, announced at a press conference on 24 July, adding that Azerbaijan’s campaign against the mining industry is part of a hybrid war.

Earlier, information was spread that the Azerbaijani government, in a letter addressed to the Minister of Environment of Armenia, demanded to stop the construction of a large metallurgical plant in Yeraskh, bordering the Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan, because the works being carried out may have cross-border negative consequences.

The RA Ministry of Environment responded to Azerbaijan’s “open letter” regarding the construction of the factory in Yeraskh, stating that it fully complies with international environmental standards. In its response, the Ministry refuted a number of false facts presented by the Azerbaijani side.

“We are in a hybrid war situation with Azerbaijan, and, unfortunately, business and organizations representing RA industry are becoming a part of that war. And mining is currently at the forefront. According to our neighboring country, it is the sector with the greatest potential, and it is true. Secondly, in their opinion, it is the most vulnerable sector, but in this matter they are wrong and we can show that the mining industry in terms of environmental norms and standards is at a much higher level in Armenia than in the same neighboring country,” Vardan Jhanyan said.

The Chairman of the Union of Miners and Metallurgists said that such behavior of Azerbaijan is due to the indicators of economic growth of Armenia since 2014, which have constantly exceeded the indicators of economic growth of Azerbaijan. “In connection with the decline of the oil and gas sector, they will be gradually left behind. They understand in Baku that the economic growth of Armenia implies the military strengthening of Armenia as well.”

In response to Iravaban.net ‘s question, what effect did this “letter-concern” of Azerbaijan have on the international reputation of Armenia or whether there were international structures that responded to it, Vardan Jhanyan stated that due to the baseless and fake nature of the letter, no international response was received. According to him, Armenia could also not react to it, but we should be prepared for Azerbaijan’s next step.

“We are sure that the next step will take place. Azerbaijan will not limit itself to this statement. This is the main reason for calling the press conference. We will try to work out a plan with the political society and the state to resist the attacks of Azerbaijan,” the Chairman of the Union of Miners and Metallurgists said.

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