No One Can Speak to Armenia in the Language of Threats, Says Pashinyan to Azerbaijani Journalist

The Prime Minister of Armenia reminded that the autonomy promised by Azerbaijan has already been had by Artsakh, which has given rise to this blood-filled conflict. To repeat that status means to start this entire conflict from scratch.

No one can speak to Armenia in the language of threats. This was stated today by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Paris during the Peace Conference, responding to a question from an Azerbaijani journalist.

The Azerbaijani journalist sought clarification regarding Pashinyan's remark in Stepanakert, stating, "Artsakh is Armenia, period," pointing out that the entire world, international organizations, and even Armenia recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, and how such statements contribute to the resolution of the conflict.

“You say that Nagorno-Karabakh has been internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. Then, why is there an internationally accepted group called the OSCE Minsk Group, which has been mandated to determine the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh? Your country is also involved in this OSCE Minsk Group negotiation process. If Nagorno-Karabakh, as you state, is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, then why are you involved in the Minsk Group negotiations to determine the status of Nagorno-Karabakh? Isn't that strange?” Pashinyan replied to the question.

The Armenian Prime Minister reminded that the autonomy promised by Azerbaijan has already been had by Artsakh, which has spurred this conflict filled with blood. To repeat that status signifies starting this whole conflict from scratch.

“As I have said, the resolution of the conflict should be acceptable to the peoples of Armenia, Artsakh, and Azerbaijan. Regarding what I said in Stepanakert, I had already stated that peace should be acceptable to the peoples of the three countries. I wanted to hear something similar from the President of Azerbaijan, which would have slightly advanced the negotiation process.

But, unfortunately, the Azerbaijani government continues to issue threats, saying that Zangezur, Syunik should be occupied, claiming that Yerevan, the capital of independent Armenia, is an Azerbaijani city, or that Lake Sevan, which is Armenian, is an Azerbaijani lake. Our goal is peace, and we want to protect the security of our people, the security of Nagorno-Karabakh, and even the security of the Azerbaijani people,” the Prime Minister stated, reiterating that he is personally ready to start a dialogue not only with the authorities of Azerbaijan but also with the people of Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani journalist noted that he was born in the Armenian city of Vardenis and can no longer visit his birthplace, to which the Prime Minister reminded him of the exodus of Armenians from Azerbaijan and the peaceful departure of Azerbaijanis from Armenia.

“I remember how Armenians were killed in Sumgait and Baku, and those actions spread to Nagorno-Karabakh as well. By the way, the Armenians living in Azerbaijan did not leave that country, but fled, often without clothing. And what happened to the Azerbaijanis living in Armenia? Under the orders of the Armenian authorities, your compatriots were transported to Azerbaijan by buses belonging to Azerbaijanis, escorted by the police, and not a single Azerbaijani was harmed during that operation,” Pashinyan stated, emphasizing that this is a very important and clear reflection of the essence of the conflict.

It is noteworthy that on August 6, during the opening of the 7th Pan-Armenian Summer Games in Stepanakert, Nikol Pashinyan stated in his speech that "Artsakh is Armenia, period."