You Promised: How Many Centimeters of Land Have You Brought Back? – Danielyan

MP Garnik Danielyan writes on his Facebook page: "In an attempt to perhaps please the head of the regime, during the last session of the National Assembly, several ruling party members recalled my statements regarding the 7th-century church in Voskepar, which were made during the illegal border demarcation occurring in Tavush. As they say, the best defense is an attack, which the ruling party continues to prepare for before each session with manipulative theses.

Now, the facts:

• Yes, a year ago in the spring, when the so-called border demarcation process began, I stated that Azerbaijani forces would come and stand near the Voskepar church.
• During that same period, access to the Holy Mother of God Church was restricted on several days in that area. Demining operations occurred before our eyes, and a border post was installed in the right corner of the church.
• Currently, the area around the church is being monitored, and the entry of large numbers of pilgrims into the church is prohibited.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan was also able to strengthen its positions in the direction of Voskepar, of course, thanks to your 'efforts.' Addressing the accusations raised from the National Assembly podium, I mentioned that the significant influence on not surrendering the church was the 'Holy Movement' that started in Tavush. Thousands of people raised their voices in protest, disagreeing with a process that only implied concessions and did not align with our national and state interests.

My statement stirred some of the ruling party members; those trying to belittle the popular revolt even had the audacity to demand an apology from me. Meanwhile, I would like to remind you that on May 16, 2024, in an interview with the Prime Minister's office's Information and Public Relations Department, 'Armenpress' posed the question of how they assess the results of the demarcation in the areas of Baghanis, Voskepar, and Berkaber. The response from the office was, and I quote: 'One of the most sensitive issues in the Voskepar-Baghanis area was related to the Voskepar St. Mother of God Church, and the other related to the Soviet-era road from Voskepar to Baghanis. Both issues have been resolved in the best possible way.'

This clearly indicates that the church issue in Voskepar has at least been a subject of discussion. During those days, you promised the Tavush residents that as a result of the 'delimitation' process, territories would be returned from Paravakar, Berkaber, and Vazashen. How many centimeters of land have you brought back?

Under your government, Azerbaijan has occupied at least 200 square kilometers of the Republic of Armenia's sovereign territory (according to official data). You feel cornered when you are called a collaborator. Meanwhile, instead of demanding the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from RA territory, you even state that there are Azerbaijani territories here.

And, in general, does the group that tramples on Armenia's state and national interests in every possible way have any moral right to accuse any opposition figure? Your sycophancy has reached the point where you have now decided to remove the image of Mount Ararat from the Armenian stamps received upon entering the country," Danielyan writes.