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2017 can be described as a relatively calm year for Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) against the backdrop of the irreparable losses the country suffered during the 2016 April war, a spokesman for the Artsakh president said on Tuesday.

“We felt the effects of the war throughout 2017. We suffered fatalities this year as well. The human losses can certainly no way be repaired, but overall this year was relatively calm compared to 2016, 2015 or 2014,” David Babayan said in an interview with Panorama.am.

Touching upon the achievements of the country in 2017, the official highlighted a number of successes in politics, economy, culture and sports. Mr. Babayan pointed out the official opening of Vardenis-Martakert highway as a crucial achievement of this year.

“One of the most important achievements was the recognition of Artsakh by Michigan State, as well as the signing of agreements to form a sister city relationship with a number of French cities,” he said.

David Babayan highlighted the works carried out in the defense sphere, especially the border strengthening measures, due to which the number of fatalities reduced this year.

“Artsakh also welcomed greater number of tourists this year, which came to show people feel themselves safe in our country. However all this does not mean we have no issues. There are problems, but they can be settled,” David Babayan noted, adding 2017 was also marked with the constitutional referendum in Artsakh.

In regard to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, the official stressed the maintenance of peace and stability already signal that the year was generally successful.

“The talks and meetings have continued, which is very important. The continuity of the negotiation process has been maintained. It is true, Azerbaijan, apparently, avoids taking concrete steps regardless of its constant announcements on substantive talks. However, the easiest way to hold substantive talks is to implement the 2016 Vienna and St. Petersburg agreements. But even here the official Baku does its best to keep the things from moving forward. This, however, does not mean we should not continue the peace talks,” he added.

Summing up, the spokesperson said 2018 will be a very important year.

“It will be especially a favorable year for the adversary to make speculations. In 2018, we are to mark the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia, as well as the 100th anniversary of the Artsakh issue, since it was 100 years ago that artificial country Azerbaijan was established emerging with itself the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. All this will be remembered in Azerbaijan. If we also consider the presidential elections scheduled for Azerbaijan next year and Heydar Aliyev's 95th birth anniversary all this will open up a wide field for speculations,” he noted.