There Are Territories of Soviet Azerbaijan That Have Been and Are Under Armenian Control: Pashinyan

During a question-and-answer session with lawmakers in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan commented on his statement regarding the occupation of 41 square kilometers of the Republic of Armenia's sovereign territory by the enemy.

"This number did not arise as a result of yesterday’s or the day before yesterday's actions. The balance has not changed in any way due to yesterday's actions. In other words, that 41 square kilometers was the same a week ago, after May 12, and remained the same after yesterday's actions," said Pashinyan.

However, he noted that it is not entirely clear that this 41 square kilometers is fully controlled by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. Pashinyan also announced that there are "territories of Soviet Azerbaijan" that have been and are under Armenian control since the first war.

"Due to the processes that have occurred since May 12, the positions of Azerbaijan's armed forces and our armed forces are arranged in a chessboard pattern in various parts, sometimes in illogical ways, interpenetrating each other. Even before May 12, nearly 40 or more square kilometers of territory of the Republic of Armenia were under Azerbaijani control due to the results of the first war. We are aware of these territories in specific sections. As a result of the first war, there are also territories of Soviet Azerbaijan that have been and are under Armenian control. This context is why the process of demarcation and delimitation is very important because when it is stated that Azerbaijan has occupied our territories, which is true, the average reaction of international representatives is as follows: it is true, but it is not the case that there is a clear balance; there are areas under your control that should not be and there are areas under Azerbaijani control that should not be there based on de jure circumstances," he said.