“There is a strictly predictable threat to Armenia. It is predicted that they will suggest an ‘agreement’ between Armenia and Azerbaijan and Armenia and Turkey. The remaining scenarios have already been implemented: our territories are occupied, Armenia as a state is captured, and Armenia’s state borders are disrespected,” Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan said during a meeting with reporters at the Hayeli press club regarding potential threats from Turkey and Azerbaijan in this phase.
“In this case, the next possible threat is that agreement, which is dangerous for the Armenian statehood. The Armenia-Azerbaijan agreement will, first of all, establish mutual recognition of the borders, which is problematic in several respects. First, there has never been an international agreement defining borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In other words, we do not have an agreement with Azerbaijan that determines the borders; therefore, priority negotiations must begin, during which we will determine the principles of border formation. The existing border is the internal administrative-territorial division of the USSR, which should not be accepted as the border of two independent states. Moreover, the USSR has not existed for a long time. Since we are a defeated, capitulated country, instead of doing what I mentioned, we will implement the demands that Azerbaijan will make,” Ruben Melkonyan said.
According to him, what Azerbaijan demands will be to only secure the borders in a pro-Azerbaijani way, including strategic heights, enclaves, and water resources, which are likely to remain within Azerbaijan. “The second problem related to the recognition of the borders is that if a border is demarcated and they reach the Goris-Berdzor section, what will happen? Will we recognize that beyond Berdzor is Azerbaijan? If so, we will automatically close the Artsakh issue with that agreement because we will accept that Azerbaijan is beyond Berdzor. This is skillfully packaged by Azerbaijan, which is supported by Turkey, and I think Russia is not in a position to prevent all this. Russia itself has many problems, including some new ones, so it does not want to have a new problem and will let the situation go its own way, the Azerbaijani way. And if our society is standing in the center of the square and saying that Shushi is Azerbaijan and that Aliyev can come and kill them as long as Kocharyan does not come back, then we should not expect Russia to be more Catholic than the Pope or more Armenian than the Armenian. That is naivety.”
According to Ruben Melkonyan, the so-called peace agreement will be provided to Armenia by packaging the necessary post-war situation. According to the Turkologist, a document like the mentioned one will be submitted to Armenia by Turkey, which will at least result in ignoring the issue of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Armenian side. “By doing so, Turkey will get rid of its complex that Armenians may ever have territorial claims. With this agreement, Armenia will be obliged to recognize the Kars agreement, and that is why now is the most convenient time for Turkey.”
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Luiza Sukiasyan
