Russia Can Bring a Lot. It Wants, Then We Don't Want It Too: Andranik Kocharyan

When all the dangers of the November 9, 2020 document become visible, Armenia will think about what to do with it. This was stated by Andranik Kocharyan, the Chairman of the National Assembly's Defense and Security Committee, in an interview with Azatutyun.

Media: Why do you think Russia suddenly remembers the November 9 statement again?

Kocharyan: Because that statement still exists, but within that statement, there also exist the obligations of Russia. We are recording those points of the agreement where something has been done, and something has not, and the Russian Federation has its share of blame in the undispatched part.

Now, there’s a point in that document that has also interested countries with regional interests; that was the issue of the corridor, which today has gone out of discussion, and now we have the problem of safeguarding our borders.

Media: But why is Russia bringing the agenda up again?

Kocharyan: Russia can bring a lot, and we will move forward with our agenda. Why is it bringing it? Probably because of its interests...

Media: Why does it want to stand as the controller of the corridor?

Kocharyan: It wants to, then? Why does it want to? It wants to, but we don’t want it too. I don’t understand the meaning of that question again. It wants to, why does it want to? Russia wants many things — it wants to occupy Ukraine too; why does it want that?

Media: You mentioned that Russia is again bringing up the November 9 document because that document still exists, right?

Kocharyan: Yes, has anyone canceled that document?

Media: Is it correct that the Armenian authorities recall their signature from under that document?

Kocharyan: If necessary, the Armenian authorities will decide what to do.

Media: If neither Azerbaijan nor Russia fulfilled the obligations of that November 9 statement, and now the issue of the corridor is being brought forth only by Russia and Azerbaijan, isn't it correct that Armenia simply recalls its signature?

Kocharyan: When it becomes necessary, Armenia will not delay its steps; do not worry.

Media: At this moment, there is still no such necessity.

Kocharyan: Do you see the necessity? You are asking this question, or you’ve come prepared. We see the necessity for all the points of the contract to be implemented: the Armenian population stays in Artsakh, the Lachin corridor remains in its place, Artsakh doesn’t get depopulated, and the Russian troops fulfill their obligations, and the remaining controversial points of that contract will force the reality that which point should become reality at that time. Now that contract still exists in this form.

Now you say, is it correct for Armenia to withdraw? In essence, the way that contract is, it remains so; it has not yet revealed its dangers in full scale. If it hasn’t revealed them, when the dangers become visible, the Armenian authorities will think about what they are doing with that contract.