Instead of Making Hasty Statements, One Should Consider the Consequences: Simonian to His Artsakh Colleagues

The Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly, Alen Simonian, commented on the statement made today by the Artsakh National Assembly regarding the call for the Armenian delegation participating in negotiations in Washington to suspend talks until a complete ceasefire is established along the contact line with Artsakh and at the borders of Armenia.

“First, I express my condolences to our people, the relatives, and friends of the victims. Secondly, it’s a bit unclear what the purpose of that statement is, because if we suspend negotiations, what is the alternative? I believe that often, instead of making quick and hasty statements, we should pause for a moment and think about the meaning and consequences of further steps and statements,” he said.

Referring to the statement by the President of the Artsakh National Assembly that Artsakh cannot be part of Azerbaijan and that this is a red line for them, the Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly stated: “Let them go negotiate and start negotiations with that position. We do not want to impose anything in any way. We will support in every possible way as much as Armenia is capable, and we will continue to support until the end, but the rest, I believe, they will negotiate and discuss with the opposing side.”

Regarding the observation that Russian peacekeepers are failing to ensure the implementation of the trilateral statement, Alen Simonian said: “Russian peacekeepers are almost failing in this. I do not know what the red line is for the Azerbaijanis, that they have a desire to take some action at that moment and do not do so due to the presence of Russian peacekeepers. I cannot visualize that line. It seems to me that this line is very thin, or one could say it does not exist.”