Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardan and regional Askeran officials met today in Stepanakert to discuss the problems faced by Armenians in the province.

Askeran Administrative Head told Vardanyan that the most pressing problem is the lack of security felt by farmers who say their lands are in firing range of Azerbaijani guns. The situation has hindered farmers from cultivating their fields.

Vardanyan, a businessman from Russia, assumed the post of state (prime) minister last month and says a shake-up in the way the Artsakh government functions is in order.

Vardanyan told the local officials that any peace deal with Azerbaijan must be based on a strengthened Artsakh since the Baku government seeks to remove all Armenians from the area.

“We must become strong, united, so that they cannot solve the issue in a way that is unacceptable to us. We must continue our struggle in all directions: diplomatic, military, political, informational,” Vardanyan said according to a statement released by his office.

Referring to the closure of the Stepanakert-Goris highway last Saturday, Vardanyan said Artsakh must be ready for such Azerbaijani provocations.

“This is the situation, and we must fight it from all directions, both in diagnosing problems, in making decisions, and in our style of work. We have many serious dangers and challenges, but I am confident that we will overcome them. Our struggle continues for the right to live on our land, for the future of our children. This is the struggle of all Armenians."