VIDEO: Nikol Pashinyan Should Have Resigned Long Ago, Samvel Babayan

We are heading towards war on the path we are taking. The crossroads of peace is the crossroads of war. This was stated by Samvel Babayan, the former Secretary of the Security Council of Artsakh and former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, in an interview with Armlur.am, commenting on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement that those who oppose delimitation want war.

"You are constructing a transit road with Megrik, Azerbaijan is recognizing the territories of Armenia from 1925-1926, which it entered into the framework of the Soviet Union, and it does this over 30,948 square kilometers. It will recognize after that, and then for four years you will build that road, and as the Prime Minister says, integrate economically, logistically, etc. This is the first phase of the solution. Everything else—giving away villages, this and that—no matter what you do, you are heading towards the last point on the Megrik road. Without this, Azerbaijan will not agree. Azerbaijan has invested money for ten years to become a logistical, transport, and rich route of the Caspian basin, so that products can pass through it to Turkey and Europe. We need to make a political decision about what we choose—whether to be part of that union or choose another path. Right now, you’re neither saying this nor that, but you say you are preparing. People have formulated their problem, are presenting it, the agenda is dictated by the current authorities who are trying to lead it their desired way. It doesn’t work like that. A global, strategic decision needs to be made about what we are doing, what our goal is,” he said.

Regarding the demand for Nikol Pashinyan's resignation, Samvel Babayan said, “Nikol Pashinyan should have resigned a long time ago. I talked about this in parliament in November-December, that the opposition should drop their mandates and demand new elections. This is the only way.”

When asked if he would join the movement that has begun in Armenia, he responded, “I just came from there. I haven’t personally met the bishop. Why shouldn’t I meet? I meet with everyone and present my viewpoints.”