Armenian National Assembly Issues Statement

The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia records that on May 12, 2021, Azerbaijani armed forces crossed the state border of the Republic of Armenia from the area of the Sevan Lake in the Syunik region, moving several kilometers into the territory towards the Urisen settlement. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia has confirmed that allegedly some works took place in one of the border areas of Syunik under the pretext of 'border delineation' by the Azerbaijani armed forces.

It is evident that these actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces are unacceptable for the Republic of Armenia; it is a clear violation of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, and the Republic of Armenia will not tolerate the situation that has arisen.

On May 13 of this year, another extraordinary meeting of the Security Council of the Republic of Armenia took place, during which it was established that for the second day, there is a precarious situation around the Sevan Lake in the Syunik region and adjacent areas. Approximately 250 representatives of the Azerbaijani armed forces continue to be present on the territory of the Republic of Armenia in certain parts of the Syunik and Gegharkunik regions.

Considering Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian military-political policy and the recent open threats against the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia by the Azerbaijani leadership, which include statements threatening the use of force and the elevation of anti-Armenian rhetoric at the state policy level, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia strongly condemns Azerbaijan's violations of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and notes that the aggressive policy pursued by Azerbaijan violates the fundamental norms of international law, including the principles enshrined in Article 2 of the UN Charter, which gives the Republic of Armenia the right to respond to Azerbaijani aggression in accordance with international law and the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

On behalf of the people of the Republic of Armenia, the National Assembly declares that all appropriate measures will be taken to halt Azerbaijan's military aggression and to protect our state border and people. We call on the international community to condemn the provocative actions directed against the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia by Azerbaijan, the threats of the use of force, and the actual use of force.

HEADER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA ON 'THE PRECARIOUS SITUATION CREATED AT THE BORDER REGIONS, ESPECIALLY IN SYUNIK, GEGHARKUNIK, AND VAYOZ DZOR, ISSUES OF SOLVING IT, SECURITY AND PROTECTION OF BORDERS' ADOPTION OF THE DRAFT STATEMENT

The current situation and the necessity of adopting the draft statement

In light of the crisis situation created in the Republic following the fact of Azerbaijani armed forces' infiltration on May 12 of this year, when Azerbaijani armed forces' representatives have not yet returned and are refusing to return to their initial positions even as a result of negotiations, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, as the only body bearing primary mandate, strongly condemns the hostile actions and violations of the neighboring country against the inviolability of our country's borders and territorial integrity.

Objectives of the draft statement

By adopting the draft, it will ensure that:

• The territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and any encroachment against it is safeguarded.
• The rights of the border residents of the Republic of Armenia, their peaceful life, and physical and mental inviolability are protected.
• The prospects of peace and security presented to the international community by the Armenian side in contrast to the ongoing anti-Armenian policy of Azerbaijan are highlighted.

Expected outcome

The assurance of the security and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, the guarantee of the rights of residents, and the physical and mental inviolability in accordance with the principles of international law.