Resign Your Signature, Let Artsakh Negotiate, You’re Hindering: Babayan

There are no cracks within the "United Homeland" party, no disagreements exist, and regarding Gohar Sargsyan's decision to leave the parliamentary faction, the party’s political council does not trust her, and she likewise does not trust them, which is why she wrote a letter and left. This was stated today by Samvel Babayan, the former secretary of the Security Council of Artsakh and leader of the "United Homeland" party, during a conversation with MediaHub, addressing media reports about disagreements within the party.

"We are free, we do not force anyone to be with us or not, and we do not persuade anyone to stay with us. There is no problem within the party. There was also talk about Gagik Bagunts leaving, but Bagunts, in addition to being the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, is also the Vice President of the party. If he had a problem, he would have written a letter," he said.

Speaking about the work of the departments of Artsakh, he noted that carrying out their tasks is their right, "but it's not that there will be any significant change due to the work being conducted this year." In response to the formation of a committee aimed at the collective repatriation of the people of Artsakh and the protection of other fundamental rights, coordinated by former Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan, he reacted, "I don’t know what Vardan Oskanyan or his group will change, but I can clearly say that our party abstained from voting for the establishment of that body and Oskanyan’s appointment. We have shown that this is unacceptable; it cannot change anything; a different approach is needed. Besides, before forming that committee, it was necessary to discuss and understand what powers it would have and how they would justify their work. They have done nothing, which is why we abstained."

Regarding the possible dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert, Babayan mentioned that no steps are being taken at this time and none will be taken until the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, after which it will be clear whether Azerbaijan is willing to negotiate or not.

"There are several issues connected with the November 9 document. I have said before and I repeat, it would be correct for Armenia to renounce its signature on certain issues because there is no Artsakh and also those agreements do not exist, especially when the Prime Minister of Armenia states that 'the issue of Artsakh is closed.' Azerbaijan speaks about communications and notes that negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan are ongoing by contract. The Prime Minister of Armenia says he cannot make decisions on behalf of the people of Artsakh. And this is a good opportunity for the Armenian side to reject its signature, and the explanation is that by withdrawing his signature, he can refer to a new agreement that is currently being negotiated; in this way, that page will be closed," emphasized Babayan.

According to Samvel Babayan, the existence of the November 9 document now only serves as a hindering factor; the presence of Russian peacekeepers there is also pointless, and Azerbaijan references a document that has already become meaningless. "Azerbaijan refers to the 9th point, which is about communications, but Armenia also says they are signing a new agreement concerning communications, so there is no issue of Artsakh in that document—now what are we to understand, what are you talking about? As for maintaining Russian troops in Artsakh, Azerbaijan and Russia should sign an agreement there; Armenia will have no role in that. This means you are holding the people of Artsakh captive; resign your signature, let Artsakh negotiate, you are hindering," he added.