If Pashinyan Stays, Tigranashen Awaits a Fate Worse Than Shurnukh, Says Arthur Khachatryan

If Nikol Pashinyan remains in power and continues with the political course he is currently implementing, Tigranashen faces a fate similar to that of Shurnukh, but much worse. This was stated today, June 2, during a conversation with reporters at the National Assembly by Arthur Khachatryan, a member of the 'Hayastan' faction.

“Nikol Pashinyan refers to the 1975 map; why 1975 and not the 1920s, when the Al lakes were in Armenian territory and were later inexplicably handed over to Azerbaijan? During this time, territories were also ceded to Azerbaijan, which is unclear. Although it is clear; Azerbaijan wants that and acts accordingly. According to the 1975 map, the Goris-Kapan road completely passed through Soviet Armenia. If they referred to the 1975 map, why was this road given to Azerbaijan so hastily? As long as the borders are not delineated, why do you cede territory?”

Regarding Tigranashen, he noted that people have lived there who lost their territory, and having lost their land in the Azerbaijani SSR, they received homes there, paid taxes, and participated in elections. In fact, Armenia exercised its sovereignty over that territory. And if he wants to cede some part of Armenia’s actual territory, it must happen through a referendum, as required by the RA legislation,” the opposition MP said.

In response to Pashinyan's statement that they are developing the road network so that even in the case of Tigranashen being ceded, the road issues can be resolved, Khachatryan said: “Let me remind you that when Shurnukh was given to the Turks, they offered a new road in return, which fell apart three months later. The alternative route for the road passing through Tigranashen likely referred to the Urtsadzor road. However, I should mention that the Urtsadzor road is not intended for inter-state significance. It is not a road for trucks.”