Armenia Has No Territorial Claims Against Azerbaijan, Says Armen Grigoryan

Armenia has no territorial claims against Azerbaijan, but expresses concern over the safety and rights of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh. This was stated by Armen Grigoryan, the Secretary of the Armenian Security Council, in an interview with Factor.am.

- Mr. Grigoryan, the authorities are being criticized for lacking a plan or vision for resolving the issue of Artsakh. Could you clarify what option would be acceptable for you? For example, could an option be acceptable for Armenia if, as a result of negotiations, the international community provides strong guarantees for the security and rights of those living in Artsakh, along with specific mechanisms to ensure them? Would Armenia be satisfied with these guarantees and consider that Artsakh could be safe while remaining under Azerbaijan's jurisdiction?

- We have always talked about the fact that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is not fundamentally a territorial one, but rather a matter of protecting the rights and safety of the Armenians living there. We need to discuss how the guarantees will function and we need assurances that these security guarantees will protect the safety and rights of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia recognized Azerbaijan's territorial integrity back in 1992, and we have publicly stated multiple times that Armenia has no territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Our concern is that the rights and safety of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh are not being ensured. Essentially, the processes that have been taking place over the last 30 years are aimed at obtaining those guarantees. It is difficult to provide a comprehensive answer to the question at this time, but first, we need to see those guarantees. Specific guarantees are necessary.

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