“There is a big misconception that in Armenia, there is a reduced peace agenda for the Armenian authorities because what the Armenian government is talking about and what is being harmoniously presented by the Azerbaijanis carries a bigger threat and risk. There is more war than peace,” said Tigran Abrahamyan, a member of the I Have Honor parliamentary faction, during a discussion organized by the Alternative Projects Group on March 22, referring to the Armenian authorities’ agenda of Armenian-Turkish reconciliation and normalization of relations with Azerbaijan.
According to the speaker, the government is trying to take root in the political and propaganda platforms, in the public perception, as if there is an agenda of peace, as if there are forces that are against peace. In fact, according to him, the government’s speech and actions bring Armenia closer to war. The opposition MP recalled that after the 44-day war, when the government started talking about the so-called era of peace, the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia was attacked three times, and a part of it was occupied as a result of the Azerbaijani invasion in Vayots Dzor and Syunik.
“The forthcoming processes suggest that the so-called peace agenda will fail, not only because we have seen what consequences it has caused for Armenia after its announcement, but also because, even in these conditions, when the Armenian authorities are ready to make a policy of concessions or to be in the mood for Azerbaijani ambitions, Azerbaijan demands more; Azerbaijan will constantly demand much more. First, Armenia allows it, second, Armenia does not create any system to resist it. What is happening in Artsakh today, whether it is an energy crisis, a humanitarian crisis, or a security crisis, is directly related to the border situation in Armenia and the negotiation process. I have to state with regret, it suggests that there is a tendency to deepen; we are going with a worse scenario than the experts predicted after the 44-day war,” said Tigran Abrahamyan. In his opinion, until the security system of Armenia and Artsakh is brought to a proper state, it is pointless to talk about the negotiation process, whether it will be about Artsakh, the blockade, or Armenian-Turkish relations, as there is no theoretical possibility of winning the process.
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According to Tigran Abrahamyan, the Armenian government does not have an agenda today; it is trying to fit into the agenda proposed by Azerbaijan and Turkey. Tigran Abrahamyan added that Artsakh is in serious danger, and the Armenian government does not seek to eliminate that danger or at least reduce the risks.
“In this situation, it is necessary to understand whether the government has an agenda. Is there a desire to do something, at least in terms of humanitarian issues? After receiving the government’s answers, the healthy forces must start the process. If Artsakh remains in this state, the next hearth will be in Syunik, Gegharkunik, etc. It is possible that in a few years we will discuss the problems created by the blockade of Yerevan.”
The opposition MP drew attention to the fact that Azerbaijan is building a new Berdadzor-Kornidzor road bypassing the Berdzor/Lachin road, and the second stage will be connected with the construction of the Berdadzor-Stepanakert road, which passes through difficult terrain. This will create a difficult situation to allow for communication between Armenia and Artsakh. “By building this road, Azerbaijan aims to take control of Lachin, as it will lead to the redeployment of Russian peacekeepers as an alternative route.”
Nelly GRIGORYAN
