Azerbaijan's Double Standards: From Pro-Russian Claims to Pro-Western Declarations, Says Pashinyan

Azerbaijan continues to pursue an aggressive policy toward 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 'Armenia and the Netherlands: Centuries-Old Friendship – 30 Years of Partnership' in response to a question from the audience.

'Unfortunately, Azerbaijan continues to engage in a very aggressive policy towards Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. You know that there is a Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh. The main task of Azerbaijani diplomacy in recent months has been as follows: they go to the EU and the US and say, ‘Look, Armenia is a pro-Russian country,’ in some cases claiming it has a pro-Kremlin government. Then they go to Russia and say, ‘Look, Armenia is a pro-Western country; see how closely they are cooperating with the West.’ Sometimes they argue that the government in Armenia has been established through a color revolution supported by the West, which acts against Russia,' Pashinyan said.

He added that the aim is to shape perceptions in both the West and Russia against Armenia in light of Azerbaijan's aggressive policies. According to him, one cannot say that there are no arguments to substantiate this stance.

'The objective reality is that there are indeed arguments to back this position, because Armenia is a strategic ally of Russia, a member of the CSTO, and the EEU, and has very warm and close relations with the Russian Federation. On the other hand, Armenia's relationships with the European Union and EU member states are deepening, as the EU is Armenia's main partner in democratic reforms,' Pashinyan elaborated.

Addressing a remark during the question and answer session that Armenia is trying to conduct a multilateral policy, the Prime Minister emphasized that it can also be added that efforts are being made to implement a multilateral policy against Armenia.

'And we not only need to pursue a multilateral policy but also must be able to manage the risks that arise from the multi-faceted political strategies directed against us,' Pashinyan stated.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Armenia is pursuing a balanced policy, and the government's motivation is Armenia's national interests. He stressed that while all relationships are important, it is also crucial that these relationships do 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 emphasize that for countries like Armenia, these times are the most dangerous, and this needs to be recognized and understood. It is not at all easy for us to pursue a balanced policy, but we are trying to do everything possible to succeed in this endeavor,' Pashinyan concluded.