Appointment of Armenian Ambassador to Russia as Compensation for Goris-Kapan Road

The newspaper "Hraparak" reports: Former Minister of Defense Vagharshak Harutyunyan is expected to be appointed as the Armenian Ambassador to Russia shortly. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already sent the relevant documents for the agrément to Moscow, although they have yet to be validated and signed by the Russian authorities.

According to our information, Vagharshak Harutyunyan has long been awaiting this appointment, but there was some resistance within official Russian circles, particularly from those who have smoothly and problem-free cooperated with the Armenian Ambassador to Russia, Vardan Toghanyan, over the years.

Vagharshak Harutyunyan is being appointed as ambassador to a country that is critically important for Armenia at a time when his reputation as a state official is severely diminished. He is directly blamed for handing over the Goris-Kapan road to Azerbaijan. Of course, the main person responsible is Prime Minister Pashinyan, but it is Harutyunyan's signature on the relevant document, one of the papers kept secret from the public, that has raised concerns.

Months ago, Telegram channels published a memorandum dated December 18, 2020, which bore the signatures of the defense ministers of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan. According to this memorandum, a section of the Goris-Kapan road is to be handed over to Azerbaijan for five years, although it is stated that the Armenian side may also use it freely and without charge.

Debate has even arisen among political scientists and military experts over whether this was part of the agreement reached on November 9, 2020. The document states that the Armenian armed forces should withdraw from those positions alongside the demarcation process, but the memorandum signed by Vagharshak Harutyunyan effectively expedited the withdrawal of Armenian forces, thus recognizing the territory as Azerbaijani.

Undoubtedly, the ambassadorship position is a worthy compensation for Harutyunyan in light of the severe accusations from his compatriots and especially the opposition.

It should be noted that checkpoints have been established along the Goris-Kapan road overnight, and it has already been reported that three villages—Vorotano, Shurnukh, and Bardzravan—home to about 700 residents, have been left in a blockade.

Our numerous attempts to contact Vagharshak Harutyunyan and receive his comments were unsuccessful. At some point, he has become not only the most discredited but also one of the least accessible officials for the media.

For more detailed information, see today's issue of the newspaper.