Azerbaijan is pursuing an aggressive policy against Armenia: Pashinyan

Azerbaijan continues to pursue an aggressive policy against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. This was stated by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a lecture at the Clingendael Institute of International Relations in the Netherlands on the topic of "Armenia and the Netherlands: Centuries-Old Friendship - 30 Years of Partnership," in response to a question from the audience.

Azerbaijan, unfortunately, continues to conduct a very aggressive policy towards Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. You know there is a Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh. And the main task of Azerbaijani diplomacy in recent months has been as follows. They go to the EU, the US, and say, 'Look, Armenia is a pro-Russian country,' in some cases they say 'proxies of the Russian government,' then they go to Russia and say, 'Look, Armenia is a pro-Western country, look how they are strengthening relations with the West.' Sometimes they claim that the government in Armenia is established through a color revolution backed by the West, which acts against Russia,” Pashinyan said.

He added that the goal is to create an understanding of Azerbaijan's aggressive policy against Armenia both in the West and in Russia. He stated that one cannot say that there are no arguments to justify that stance. “The objective reality is that there are arguments to justify this position because Armenia is a strategic ally of Russia, a member of the CSTO, and the EAEU, and has very warm and close relations with the Russian Federation. On the other hand, Armenia's relations with the European Union and EU member states are increasingly deepening, as the EU is Armenia's main partner in the area of democratic reforms,” Pashinyan elaborated.

Addressing a comment made during the inquiry that Armenia is trying to implement a multi-faceted policy, the Prime Minister emphasized that he could also add that attempts are being made to implement a multi-faceted policy against Armenia as well. “And we not only have to implement a multi-faceted policy, but we must also be able to manage the risks that arise as a result of the multi-faceted policy directed against us,” Pashinyan stated.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Armenia pursues a balanced policy, and the government’s motive is Armenia’s national interests. He stressed the importance of valuing all relationships, but also that these relationships should not come at the expense of one another.

“The world order is changing before our eyes, and no one knows what it will ultimately look like. I want to say that for countries like Armenia, these are the most dangerous times, this must be recorded and understood. It is not easy for us to pursue a balanced policy, but we are trying to do everything possible to succeed in this,” Pashinyan concluded.