Azerbaijan Has Legitimate Grounds to Attack Armenia Only from 4 Villages in Tavush, Says MP from the RPA

Azerbaijan has legitimate grounds to launch an attack on Armenia's sovereign territories only from Tavush, thus it was correct to start the border demarcation precisely from there. This was stated today by Arthur Hovhannisyan, the secretary of the RPA faction in the National Assembly, during a conversation with journalists.

“At this moment, I exclude the possibility that there is another place from where Azerbaijan has legitimate grounds to attack Armenia, apart from the 4 villages in Tavush,” he said.

According to Hovhannisyan, the opposition's calls to start demarcation from places like Jermuk have a specific purpose. “They say to start from Jermuk so that we don't do it in Tavush, Azerbaijan attacks, their scenario unfolds, their saviors come and are stationed. The opposition forces are simply looking for a placement site for the Russian peacekeepers,” Hovhannisyan noted.

He reiterated that having a demarcated border would significantly reduce the risk of escalation but added that it would not ensure 100 percent security. “Even after a peace treaty, there is no entity that can come out and say, ‘This is it, everything will be very good 100 percent.’ We say there are risks, and there are processes through which Armenia is going,” he added.

The MP also pointed out that when the opposition states that the border is where the Armenian soldier stands, they automatically cede Berkaber, Jermuk, as well as areas from Gegharkunik and Syunik.

It should be recalled that on April 19, the commissions dealing with the border demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to start the demarcation from the Tavush region. The office of the Prime Minister of Armenia has stated that as a result of this, Azerbaijan receives 2.5 villages, while the Republic of Armenia reduces security risks. After the demarcation, armed forces in the area of the four villages will withdraw and yield their position to border guards.