‘86,600 square kilometers includes Nagorno-Karabakh’ - Pashinyan

86,600 square kilometers includes Nagorno-Karabakh as well. This was stated today by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at a press conference, clarifying what it means for Armenia to recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity over 86,600 square kilometers.

“But we must also note that we say the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh must be discussed in a Baku-Stepanakert format,” Pashinyan emphasized.

Responding to a question about whether the Armenian government recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, Pashinyan noted that all Armenian governments have acknowledged Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. “The Republic of Armenia is ready to recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan over 86,600 square kilometers, and in our understanding, Azerbaijan is ready to recognize the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia over 29,800 square kilometers,” Pashinyan stressed.

He added that the questions regarding the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh should be discussed in the Stepanakert-Baku dialogue format, and Armenia considers the establishment of international guarantees in these negotiations crucial.

Pashinyan mentioned that without appropriate international mechanisms, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh might be subjected to ethnic cleansing. Guarantees are needed to ensure such a policy will not be implemented.

One of the journalists recalled the decision of Armenia's Supreme Council from 1992, stating that Pashinyan does not have the right to sign a document recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. Later, Armenia’s Constitution was drawn up based on that decision.

In response, Pashinyan stated that he is forced to provide a brief historical excursus. He recalled that in 1989, the Supreme Council of Armenia and the regional council of Nagorno-Karabakh adopted a decision regarding the reunification of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. In 1990, Armenia adopted the Declaration of Independence, referencing the aforementioned decision. Subsequently, in 1991, Nagorno-Karabakh declared its independence.

“The question arises: independence from whom? If from Armenia, then is this not a violation of the aforementioned joint decision? If there is a violation, why are the violators not held accountable? If independence was declared from Azerbaijan, again, doesn’t this violate the joint decision of the Supreme Council and the regional council? After all, if Nagorno-Karabakh reunified with Armenia, then from whom is it declaring independence now?” the Prime Minister rhetorically asked.

It is worth noting that on May 14, a meeting took place in Brussels between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and President of the European Council Charles Michel. Following the trilateral meeting, Charles Michel announced that the next step will be the delimitation according to the Alma-Ata declaration, which implies recognition of Armenia's territorial integrity within the 29,800 square kilometers and Azerbaijan's within 86,600 square kilometers. A trilateral meeting involving Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will take place in Moscow on May 25.