Positive Developments Exist: Alen Simonyan on the Peace Agreement

The peace agreement does not contain a single thesis that pertains only to one side—Armenia or Azerbaijan. All the theses present in the agreement relate to both parties. This was stated by the Chairman of the National Assembly, Alen Simonyan, during a press briefing with journalists, reiterating that there is no point in the peace agreement that obligates the Republic of Armenia unilaterally.

He noted that no drastic changes have occurred and that the negotiation exchanges continue. Moreover, according to him, there are positive developments. The Chairman stated that there is a draft agreement under discussion, and that we are making progress at this stage based on its provisions. “There is no point about the ‘Zangezur Corridor’ in the agreement and there cannot be one,” Simonyan insisted.

In response to the question regarding Azerbaijan's non-recognition of Armenia's territorial integrity, Alen Simonyan disagreed, stating, “The President of Azerbaijan has repeatedly made statements about Armenia's territorial integrity, also in the presence of the President of Russia, during interviews. Yes, he has not literally spoken about the 29,800 square kilometers, but we expect that this will also take place, which will be clarified in terms of demarcation, and perhaps that is why they refrain from announcing a specific number, maybe they are saving it for further negotiations.”

Simonyan did not rule out direct negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, indicating that a group of captives was returned to Armenia precisely through such direct negotiations.