Are You Afraid, Nikol Doesn't Let You? Ashotyan Addresses Mirzoyan

For yet another time, I do not understand why the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia avoids mentioning the right of nations to self-determination in his speeches on international platforms, especially in the context of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This was stated by Armen Ashotyan, Vice President of the Armenian Renaissance Party, on his Facebook page.

In his post, he specifically mentions: “The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ararat Mirzoyan, is currently in Nur-Sultan participating in the fourth conference of Speakers of Parliaments of Eurasian countries. Here is a part of his speech: ‘The issues of the status and security of Nagorno-Karabakh, and respect for the undeniable right of the people to exist safely and freely, are of paramount importance to us.’ For yet another time, I do not understand why the Speaker of the National Assembly avoids mentioning the right of peoples to self-determination in his speeches on international platforms in the context of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Last time, I personally heard, at an international conference dedicated to parliamentarism in Moscow, the following: ‘The resolution of the issue must be based on respecting the undeniable right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to live safely and freely.’ Ararat, my friend, in the fundamental principles of the resolution proposed by the co-chairs of the Minsk Group, there is no mention of the right to ‘the people's secure and free existence.’ Moreover, such a right is also not mentioned in the Helsinki Final Act.

Explain to me and to the Armenian people why you stubbornly avoid mentioning the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination on international parliamentary platforms? What is the reason? Are you developing new principles for resolution? Are you afraid? Do you not recognize that right yourselves? Is Nikol not allowing you? Knowing you, I do not want to enter the field of manipulation, but please, in that case, clarify this very strange, unpleasant, and ‘non-sovereign’ reality yourself.