There Are Territorial Claims Against Armenia in Azerbaijan's Constitution, but We Don't Make It a Negotiation Topic: Pashinyan

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Council of Europe Secretary General Alena Berset. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of cooperation with the Council of Europe in implementing democratic reforms in our country. Nikol Pashinyan highlighted that the development of democracy has strategic significance for the Armenian Government and that our country will continue to take consistent steps in that direction.

Alena Berset underscored the Council of Europe's readiness to expand cooperation with Armenia to effectively implement institutional reforms. The interlocutors discussed issues related to further cooperation and programs.

Prime Minister Pashinyan addressed the discussions around a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. Emphasizing the Armenian Government's commitment to the peace agenda, the Prime Minister reiterated that Armenia is ready to sign the agreement based on the coordinated articles and continue further discussions.

Speaking about the Azerbaijani side's insistence that no agreement can contradict their Constitution, the Prime Minister noted that according to Article 5, Clause 3 of Armenia's current Constitution, ratified international treaties have precedence over Armenia's legislation. In other words, a ratified international treaty holds higher authority than the laws of the Republic of Armenia.

At the same time, Nikol Pashinyan pointed out that Azerbaijan's Constitution contains territorial claims against Armenia, but the Armenian side does not make this a negotiation topic, as there is a provision in the agreed text of the peace treaty stating that neither party can refer to its domestic legislation as justification for failing to implement the provisions of the international treaty.

Moreover, the agreed section of the peace treaty includes an article stating that neither party can refer to its domestic legislation to justify the failure to fulfill obligations undertaken by this agreement.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.