Pashinyan on the Behavior of Azerbaijani Authorities

During a lecture at the Dutch Institute of International Relations titled "Armenia and the Netherlands: Centuries-long Friendship - 30 Years of Partnership," Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed measures being taken to ensure regional security. He particularly detailed the process of normalizing relations with Azerbaijan, emphasizing the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh and the difficulties faced recently.

"We must successfully implement the opening of regional communications so that our railways and roads with Azerbaijan can function. We have initiated discussions with Turkey and have agreed to try to normalize relations without preconditions. Without the active and sincere support of the international community, our chances of success will be significantly reduced. We want the international community to hear our voice and to see the people living in Nagorno-Karabakh today, who, despite numerous factors, are fighting for their right to live in their homeland every day. On the other hand, we have the strange fact that these people are cut off from the possibility of communicating with the international community. Today, many international organizations and agencies, such as the UN, UNESCO, and OSCE, are deprived of access to Nagorno-Karabakh because Azerbaijan is blocking it. If there is no desire to reshape reality and if there are preconceived biases, then this policy is not so understandable,’ Pashinyan stated, according to Armenpress.

The Prime Minister informed that Armenia has adopted a peace agenda and is proceeding with the demarcation and delimitation of borders with Azerbaijan. He provided clarification regarding the conditional start of peace negotiations.

"Azerbaijan presented its views on the normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, which includes five main points. This refers to the mutual recognition of territorial integrity, the demarcation and delimitation of borders, and the absence of territorial claims from each other. We observed that, in essence, there is nothing unacceptable in these proposals; however, we noted that these points do not address the entire agenda of the relations. We supplemented that agenda to include concerns about the security, rights, and final status of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh. During a meeting mediated by EU Council President Charles Michel on April 6, we discussed this issue with the President of Azerbaijan. I said that there was nothing unacceptable in their proposed points. If the Azerbaijani side agrees to connect the two perspectives and begin negotiations on that basis, we are ready for it. However, I must note that recently there have been statements from Azerbaijan attempting to create the impression that only Azerbaijan's proposals will be on the table. This at least does not correspond to the agreements we reached in Brussels. Today I must reaffirm my position that we are ready for negotiations based on these principles, despite the lack of any changes in the planned process. Our representatives are expected to meet regarding delimitation and demarcation issues, and there will be a meeting of foreign ministers. We have endured very harsh trials, but today I can say that I have a deep conviction that we are moving in the right direction," Pashinyan added.