We Do Not Set the Task of Returning Occupied Territories by Military Means: Pashinyan

The architecture of security in the Republic has shown its ineffectiveness. This was stated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the Armenian Second Global Summit.

“Our security architecture has demonstrated its ineffectiveness. We thought we could live with closed borders in the region, speak as we wished, and distant or close allies would ensure our security. However, it turned out that third countries can act as they wish for their interests. Therefore, the number one guarantee of security is peace,” he said.

Pashinyan emphasized that there is no country or military bloc in the world capable of ensuring security for Armenia; security for Armenia can only be ensured by Armenia itself by maintaining peace in its region. “If we are talking about security guarantees, there is only one guarantee of security—peace; there is no other guarantee. The goal of our government is to create that guarantee, understanding how difficult it is,” he added.

According to him, Armenia has begun reforms of the army and armed forces, which is also being discussed in Azerbaijan, suggesting that the acquisition of weapons and munitions by Armenia indicates a desire not for peace, but for aggressive goals.

“Armenia recognizes the territorial integrity of all countries in the region and has no territorial claims from any country. Yes, we have occupied territories, more than 200 square kilometers, but the government of Armenia does not set the task of returning those territories by military means,” Pashinyan said, explaining that the recent agreement signed with Azerbaijan regarding the joint activities of border demarcation commissions provides an opportunity and makes it likely that we can address this issue through negotiations in the demarcation process.