Azerbaijan Demands Three New Points to be Included in Document Signed by Nikol: Mikael Minasian

Former Armenian Ambassador to the Holy See Mikael Minasian writes on his Telegram channel that the meeting scheduled for January 11 in Moscow will discuss not the agreement regarding the deployment of Russian peacekeepers, but an entirely different document. He elaborates that the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh should have a legal basis.

“The Russian side had prepared that basis back on November 9, the Armenian side was willing to sign it, but Azerbaijan did not sign,” Minasian notes. According to the former ambassador, the Azerbaijani side, asserting that it is the victorious side, is proposing three new points that it wishes to see included in the agreement regulating the activities of peacekeepers or in any of its attachments.

According to the first point, no Armenian forces should be present in Artsakh, as it is Azerbaijani territory. Azerbaijani forces are there by right, while Russian troops are present with the consent of the Azerbaijani side. Armenian forces, whether from the Armenian Armed Forces or Artsakh, should not be present.

The second point stipulates that all official visits by Armenian officials to Artsakh must be coordinated with the Azerbaijani side.

The third point states that the local government bodies in Artsakh should be appointed with the agreement of the Azerbaijani side and the peacekeepers.

The challenge for the Armenian side lies in the fact that, in a bout of capitulation fever, it was the first to sign this document, thus failing to allow Azerbaijan to present its expectations to the intermediary, Russia, definitively. The agreement, which was signed by Nikol without coordination with Azerbaijan, adds to Azerbaijan’s negotiating leverage, allowing them to demand the withdrawal of peacekeepers in case of non-fulfillment of demands.

By the way, this document will not be discussed on January 11. An entirely different one will be discussed then. But more on that later,” writes Mikael Minasian.