Azerbaijan Violated Principles, We Continued Our Work Based on Soviet Borderlines: Avinyan

Syruhi Grigoryan, an MP from the LHK party, inquired during a session of the National Assembly about the government's stance on creating a buffer zone at the border. Acting Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan responded, stating that each state can have its position on the legal principles that should underpin delimitation and demarcation processes during negotiations.

“The buffer zones, water resources, and security zone issues raised by you must be acceptable to both parties. The points you raised will definitely be considered as a principle in this process. When it comes to delimitation and demarcation processes, both countries factor in the real situation, water resources, and infrastructure locations; all these issues are subject to discussion,” Avinyan said.

In response to Grigoryan's observation that both sides should ideally be guided by Soviet Union borders, with new delimitation possible in the case of peace, Avinyan stated: “De facto, temporary positions were established based on this principle, until Azerbaijan's actions occurred. Azerbaijan violated this principle while we continued our work based on Soviet borders. However, they began to dictate a different logic, which we do not accept and cannot accept. As long as we do not see the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from the Sev Lake and Gegharkunik region, I do not think it is sensible to envision a peaceful negotiation process,” concluded the Deputy Prime Minister.