At the Holy and Immortal Holy and Immortal Mass of Christmas in Saint Gregory the Illuminator Mother Church, which delivered H.S.O.T.T. Garegin B., the Catholicos of all Armenians, the high-ranking officials of the Republic of Armenia did not participate. After the ceremony, the media talked with Edmon Marukyan, RA Ambassador on Special Assignments, and Chairman of the Bright Armenia Party.
– Artsakh has been under blockade for 26 days. One hundred twenty thousand of our compatriots are cut off from Armenia and the world. What signals are coming from Azerbaijan? Are they setting any preconditions for Armenia to open the way?
– You know, I’m not ready to give an interview on that topic now. At the call of His Holiness, a prayer was offered for the sake of Artsakh, and we all participated in it. Also, those who watch live on T.V. or be in other churches.
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The Republic of Armenia has used, is using, and will continue to use all the tools at its disposal within 26 days.
You know that a group on humanitarian issues formed in the government under the leadership of the deputy prime minister. In other words, Armenia is doing and will continue to do concerning the blockade, and facing what Azerbaijan is doing to Nagorno Karabakh, will try to solve the problems.
Do we have news now? I need more information to tell. If there is any change, you will know. Naturally, this problem is mainly discussed on diplomatic platforms, and the work is of a 24-hour nature. The sun sets in one place and rises in another, and these works are carried away. We do not have a result at the moment.
– The authorities stated that the peace agreement would be ready and signed before the end of the year. Why are they delaying, and what is the problem?
– Well, the end of the year has passed as it is. The will of Armenia was presented to the international community, and Armenia intends to sign an international agreement, but Azerbaijan is doing everything to prevent this from happening. And as you saw, the year passed, and it did not occur, also due to the closure of the Lachin Corridor. And the next round of negotiations did not take place in Moscow. The international community sees that this is not the result of Armenia’s non-constructive actions. On the contrary, Armenia is constructive and will continue to be so. But in response to that, we have the closure of the Lachine Corridor and many other, other things.
– And who is the main culprit of closing the corridor? The authorities are pointing their arrows at the Russian side, noting that there is an obligation to maintain the Lachin Corridor with the November 9 announcement.
– I cannot say anything new there because everything has been said in that sense. There is a document. It is clear that Azerbaijan has closed it, and Russia is obliged to make efforts. And, yes, we expect from Russia that the measures will be made more objectively. And it is already a subject of discussion through diplomatic channels.
– Don’t you attribute the Lachin Corridor’s closure to the Armenian authorities’ failed diplomacy? Also because it is said that the peace agreement should be signed according to the Alma-Ata declaration. And when it was discussed, the authorities said that the issue of Artsakh would be left to the next generations. Did the statement to leave it to the next generations contribute to the fact that Artsakh is in this situation today?
– Although I said it is not a suitable place to give an extensive interview, I have to say something. Diplomacy is considered to be failed when they start shooting at each other. As long as they are talking, discussing, and diplomatic channels are being used; this is not the correct wording.
I hope we will have additional opportunities to talk about the rest.
Ashot HAKOBYAN
