Two deputies from Azerbaijan took part in the sitting of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly in Yerevan. The Assembly includes members of the European Parliament and parliaments of the Eastern Partnership countries and is called upon to promote cooperation between the EU and five post-Soviet countries: Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and Ukraine. It would be an exaggeration to say that the measures or resolutions adopted by Euronest could be crucial for Armenia’s security. Of course, international organizations should be taken seriously – they are political platforms where there is an opportunity to represent the state interests of Armenia.
The visit of the representatives of Azerbaijan to Yerevan to participate in such events is not an extraordinary phenomenon. Such visits have taken place several times over the past 20-25 years and, as far as I remember, no serious incidents have been reported. On the contrary, there have been demonstrations in Baku in the past when Armenian delegates participated in the work of international organizations. That, of course, can be explained.
They were the losers then and, consequently, dissatisfied with the situation, and now we are. Personally, I see signs of weakness and powerlessness in such demonstrations: you can not defeat the enemy army, you show your anger in the streets of the capital. It is like burning a flag: you are trying to calm down your lost and burned self.
In this case, practically nothing changes from the arrival or absence of Azerbaijani deputies. On the other hand, it is also wrong to accept the ordinary delegates of the country that defeated you at the highest level, to show a lack of dignity: the Prime Minister of Armenia should not have met with the deputies of the Azerbaijani Milli Mejlis.
Read also
Naturally, the host must ensure the safety of the guests in these cases. This does not mean, however, that law enforcement should use disproportionate force against protesting citizens. Such exaggerated diligence is also strange.
Aram Abrahamyan
