Armenian Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan said Armenia must strengthen its defence capabilities but should not build relations with its neighbours solely on the expectation of war.

Axar.az reports, citing Armenian media, that Simonyan made the remarks during the Second Armenian Summit, responding to a participant's question about why Armenia was seeking to normalise relations with Turkiye.

He said that Armenia should pursue peace with Turkiye and Azerbaijan to prevent future wars and preserve its statehood.

Simonyan also rejected the argument that Armenia should first become stronger and only then establish normal relations with its neighbours, as current efforts to do so are perceived as concessions.

"Who told you that the Turks or Azerbaijanis are sitting around waiting for us to grow stronger, establish a Greater Armenian state and attack them? Why should we think in these terms at all?" he stressed.

At the same time, Simonyan noted that Armenia needs a strong army. However, he expressed doubts that military strength alone would be sufficient to guarantee the country's security.

He also criticised the view that Armenia's security depends primarily on Russia and its military support. According to Simonyan, claims that Turkiye would inevitably attack Armenia without Russia's protection are unfounded.

"If the Turks want to attack, we won't have time to become stronger. We won't have time to do anything at all," he said.