Maps from 1975 Should Serve as the Basis for Border Delimitation, Says Pashinyan

Maps from the General Staff of the Soviet Union from 1975 should serve as the basis for border delimitation, stated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a Q&A session in the National Assembly, reaffirming the Brussels agreement that Armenia recognizes Azerbaijan's 86,600 square kilometers, and expects Azerbaijan to recognize Armenia's 29,800 square kilometers.

“Now those who claim that Azerbaijan is not 86,600 square kilometers, but minus X, are also saying that Armenia is not 29,800 square kilometers, but minus X. How much that number is will depend on the mood in the CSTO on that day,” said Pashinyan.

The Prime Minister referred to the CSTO not only in this context. He noted that those who do not recognize Azerbaijan's territorial integrity are hopeful that if Azerbaijan attacks us, the CSTO will stand by our side. “The CSTO then says, I will stand by your side, but I will send 30 very strong observers, we need to make a decision here,” he emphasized.

Pashinyan referenced Azerbaijan's threat that if we do not recognize their territorial integrity, they will not recognize ours. It is worth reminding that Pashinyan had declared at a press conference that he is prepared to recognize Azerbaijan's territorial integrity of 86,600 square kilometers, which includes both Artsakh and several Armenian villages in Tavush Province as well as Tigranakert, which Pashinyan refers to as “enclaves.”

He also stated that Stepanakert and Baku should decide on security issues through direct discussions. This was not well received by the public. The National Assembly of Artsakh convened an emergency session to express disagreement with this position. This approach is also unacceptable for the opposition factions in the National Assembly.