Azerbaijan Wants to Involve Us, But Armenia Will Not Participate in Negotiations Over the Opening of the Lachin Corridor: Simonian

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Alen Simonian, addressed the recent statement made by the authorities of Artsakh, claiming that the thoughts expressed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan do not align with the ideas of the national struggle and the stance of the Artsakh authorities.

“Therefore, the Artsakh Security Council, the authorities, and representatives have the opportunity to negotiate and communicate directly, and as the Prime Minister stated, Armenia will stand by their position. It is unclear what the disagreement is about if it is you who is speaking. The Artsakh authorities are in some direct contact with representatives of Azerbaijan and the Russian troop representatives. These interactions have always existed and continue to exist. Currently, these interactions have decreased, but there are people who carry out those communications. Instead of talking about Armenia and making announcements, the Artsakh authorities should acknowledge that the Armenian government will support their decision,” said Simonian.

When asked why Armenia is not negotiating with Azerbaijan regarding the Lachin Corridor, the Speaker of the National Assembly clarified, “Did Armenia close the Lachin Corridor? On what basis should Armenia conduct those negotiations? Is there any step taken by Armenia in the trilateral agreement that concerns the Lachin Corridor? No, there isn't. Why do we want the trilateral agreement, which is the basis for the names of the Armenians living in Artsakh, the naming of Nagorno-Karabakh, and other matters, to be undermined by our actions? From the moment you enter that conversation as a party, you nullify the statement of November 9. The guarantor is the Russian Federation. I do not exclude that the purpose of the adversary is to draw Armenia into that conversation. I also presume that the closure of the Lachin Corridor is for that reason, to force us, for instance, into having such a corridor through Armenian territory. Why should we engage in that conversation? Yes, we will do everything to ensure that the Lachin Corridor opens and that the obligations taken on by the parties through the statement of November 9 are fulfilled. But entering that conversation and somehow starting a new process, thereby rendering November 9 meaningless, I believe would be a mistake.”

In response to the observation that Armenia will not engage in any negotiations over the Lachin Corridor, Simonian stated, “Negotiations have been held regarding the Lachin Corridor; we did not attend those negotiations because of it. By holding the people of Artsakh hostage, an attempt may be made to take parts from Armenia; that is why Armenia should not enter into that. The Artsakh authorities are negotiating independently, so there are no questions about why the Armenian authorities are making this decision. To become a party and start discussing what we will do in return or anything like that, we are not planning on that.” Simonian stated that what Armenia is currently doing for Artsakh is the maximum it can afford to do.