"No one should hope that we will always act in a defeated status": Marukyan's interview with RTVI

Special envoy Edmon Marukyan has given an interview to the RTVI international television channel, addressing the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh and various questions related to Armenia's foreign policy.

Regarding the issue of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Marukyan once again reiterated Armenia's unchanged position that Azerbaijani forces must withdraw from the sovereign territory of Armenia, which they invaded since 2021, and noted that all existing maps, including those stored in Russia, indicate that this territory belongs to Armenia.

Marukyan emphasized that Armenia advocates for peace and has taken, and continues to take, every step towards achieving it, while condemning military calls from Azerbaijan and various attempts to escalate tensions along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

He stated that demarcation and delimitation cannot take place in an environment where gunfire is heard at the borders: “The issue of demarcation is not a matter of a few days' work. It is a long-term process that must be conducted in a calm environment. It should not be conducted as a process between a winning and a losing side, as that would make it impossible to achieve results. We must follow a path that leads to a 'win-win' solution, as known in English, where all parties emerge victorious from the process.”

Addressing the issue of enclaves, Edmon Marukyan stated that, in his personal view, they should be entirely removed from discussions since, according to the November 9 declaration, the parties remain in the territory where they were situated at that time: “We have lost once, and that does not mean we must always lose and compromise. No one should hope that our defeat is infinite and indefinite and that we must always act in a defeated status.”

Speaking about the possibility of opening communications in the region, Marukyan said that the perception that it is only advantageous for Azerbaijan is incorrect. He cited the example of the Lars border crossing, which can be closed for days, and added that its alternative is a necessity for Armenia. He characterized the Azerbaijani side's reports on corridor-based solutions as speculation, stating that such issues are not being discussed, and that the conversation is only about the usual opening of roads, respecting every country's legislation and the principle of maintaining territorial sovereignty.

Regarding discussions about a possible peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Marukyan noted that Armenia has no territorial demands from Azerbaijan and emphasized that the issue of Artsakh is not a territorial one, but rather one of rights, which are more primary in the 21st century. He also addressed the issue of Artsakh's status, indicating that the conflict has not yet been resolved, contrary to Azerbaijan's claims. Marukyan added that Armenia is making active efforts to resolve the issue within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.