Armenian Bishops and Diocesan Leaders Issue Statement

The Armenian Bishops and Diocesan Leaders have released a statement regarding the handover of territories in the Tavush region.

Recent developments leave no doubt that the authorities of Armenia, under the conditions of the complete depopulation of Artsakh and the occupation of the territories of the Republic of Armenia, are preparing to hand over territories from the Tavush region to Azerbaijan, yielding to threats from Baku prior to the proposed delimitation and demarcation.

This defeatist approach, with yet another painful territorial concession, essentially legitimizes Azerbaijan's false claims and reprehensible pretensions regarding Armenia’s territories in the eyes of the international community.

The Church unequivocally welcomes all reasonable efforts and processes aimed at achieving peace. It is indisputable that the policy adopted by Armenian authorities to create a “peaceful era” through unilateral concessions is not only unrealistic but also disastrous. Negotiations regarding our homeland and unjustified continuous concessions can never ensure a security environment for our people.

Long-lasting and firm peace can be achieved under conditions of full respect for national dignity and rights and adherence to the principle of reciprocity.

We call on the authorities of the Republic of Armenia to abandon their defeatist approach and not to pursue imposed solutions in negotiations concerning the existing issues that would expose the homeland to new security challenges.

We also urge national, political, and social organizations from Armenia and the diaspora and all concerned citizens of the homeland, including state officials, to unite and collectively defend our national-state interests, contributing to the strengthening of statehood and the creation of a prosperous and secure future.

We believe that the spirit of devotion to the homeland and the commitment to self-sacrifice for the nation are strong in our people, and with the aid of the Resurrected Savior and through collective efforts, we are able to remove calamity and evil from our national life.

With heartfelt prayer, we appeal to the Heavenly Lord to bestow the blessings of peace and harmony upon our country and people and to keep the independence of the Armenian state safe and unwavering.