"It Is Nearly Impossible to Exclude Anything, Including Possible Military Provocations by Azerbaijan" - Agajanian

During an extraordinary session of the National Assembly convened in connection with the November 8, 2022, statement by the Azerbaijani parliament, Edward Agajanian, a deputy from the "Civil Contract" faction and chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, stated that the opposition's proposal had been discussed with the CC faction.

According to Agajanian, the proposed project contained numerous provisions that were consistent with their views, and there was also the political will to express a general statement on behalf of the National Assembly. "Although there were a considerable number of provisions upon which it was possible to reach an agreement, unfortunately, there were certain formulations around which the positions of both sides were fundamental, and accordingly, there was no possibility to reach an agreement," Agajanian noted.

Agajanian stated that the proposed formulations by the "Armenia" faction are a continuation and repetition of the pre-war foreign policy logic. "Our assessment is that the result and consequence of the foreign policy that has lasted for 30 years is the status quo that is recorded today. In contrast to this position, the following opinion is voiced: 'In fact, the post-war processes prove that the peace agenda does not guarantee security around Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.' I must confidently state the following: sadly, given the recent geopolitical global developments, as well as the destructive policy pursued by the Azerbaijani authorities, it is nearly impossible to exclude anything, including possible military provocations by Azerbaijan; however, one thing is clear and indisputable for us: the diplomacy stemming from the peace agenda is the main, if not the sole, reason that every provocative action by Azerbaijan is followed by such united condemnatory assessments from the international community," Agajanian said.

Agajanian also added: "Our analysis shows that the terminology proposed by the 'Armenia' faction poses more risks than it contributes to advancing Armenia's peace agenda, and we, as the government of the Republic of Armenia, cannot accept a statement that contains such risks."