Interesting Details from Pashinyan's Meeting with Mayors

The newspaper 'Zhoghovurd' writes that after the meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the mayors of the Syunik region did not receive answers to pressing questions and guarantees about border security, but rather became even more confused, anxious, and uncertain about the future of Syunik.

In a conversation with 'Zhoghovurd', several mayors of the region (we will not publish their names upon request) noted that before the meeting at the government building, they had been thoroughly checked from head to toe, then gathered in a designated meeting room and given instructions, emphasizing that when Pashinyan enters, they must stand up.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the current situation in the region. However, no specific information was provided or presented. We learned that Pashinyan largely reiterated what he had said during a 2.5-hour Q&A session the day before. One of the mayors remarked, 'It felt like, as the Prime Minister of the country, Pashinyan has no way out of this situation.' Ultimately, the mayors had the impression that the same scenario regarding Artsakh was being activated. Just like the day before, Pashinyan stated in front of the mayors that Azerbaijan wants a corridor, specifically near Meghri, and that he will not grant this corridor, while they threaten to open it by force.

'After the 44-day war, you probably remember that the Prime Minister said Azerbaijan wanted the seven regions, but I wouldn't hand over Artsakh, that’s why they came with war, and they took both the seven regions along with Hadrut and Shushi. It feels like he is now saying the same thing: 'I will not give a corridor, I am not someone who gives away corridors,' which could weigh heavily on us,' noted one of the mayors who spoke with 'Zhoghovurd.'

In general, the mayors characterized yesterday’s meeting as a gathering of an incapable leader. 'It was unclear what Pashinyan, as a leader, was doing to eliminate the dangers. He should not fall into the trap of thinking about what the people will say; he should realistically assess the situation and provide solutions by speaking candidly with the public. For example, Levon Ter-Petrosyan warned of what could happen, while proposing solutions parallelly. But now, instead of offering a solution, he is trying to convince all of us with a 'manly' attitude that he is not the type to give away anything,' expressed another mayor with frustration.

Alongside these alarming realities, we learn that on November 12, the 8th Summit of the Turkic Council took place in Istanbul, during which the leaders of member states—Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan—adopted a statement emphasizing the Zangezur corridor as an opportunity for improving connections within the context of the Trans-Caspian International East-West Middle Corridor and calling on the relevant authorities of member states to support the efforts of the Republic of Azerbaijan's government for its swift commissioning.

For the members of the Turkic Council, the corridor issue is evidently a top priority. They can all unite, in pursuit of the same idea, against Armenia. And who do we have as an ally? Yesterday, no clear answer to this question was heard.

The full article can be read in 'Hraparak' newspaper, issue dated November 25, 2021.