Three Presidents Were a Hindrance to the Establishment of the Armenian State: Prime Minister

When we realized in 2022 that the CSTO was not fulfilling its obligations to us, was not fulfilling them, and would not fulfill them, at that moment we gained independence, because we understood that we had to rely on ourselves, and we realized that the security system that you (addressing the opposition) allegedly built, that we have a security system, was a bubble, it was nothing, just a tool to prevent the establishment of our state.

This was stated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a Q&A session in the National Assembly. Pashinyan recalled that he had spoken about this as early as 2021: “I said, as bitter as it may be, we must face the fact that the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh has been used by a number of countries as a means to hinder the movement and development of Armenia. You have also been part of that hindrance, what more clarity do you need?” he said, adding, “You are the strings of that hindrance alongside your former three so-called 'presidents', who are no longer in power. Were they there to lead the state? They were there to ensure that there was no state, and during their time, there was no state; they were a hindrance to the establishment of the Armenian state.”

Pashinyan suggested convening hearings, during which he would answer all the questions of the opposition if they contest his statements, inviting the presidents to come and speak about it live: “I will come, invite me to speak live. No one from the 'Civil Contract' faction should be present. You interrogate me, ask me all the questions,” he said, addressing the opposition.