Prime Minister Pashinyan’s last press conference was not about Artsakh. That is not the first time that the position of the person who “represents” Armenia and the Armenian people has been clearly expressed in this matter. According to that, Artsakh is a part of Azerbaijan, and we should talk only about the “rights and security” of Artsakh Armenians.
Moreover, it should be done by the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan. “Translated” means that the Republic of Armenia has nothing to do with it (which Aliyev has repeatedly claimed), and Azerbaijan can do whatever it wants with the besieged Artsakh people. If there are naive people who understand empty talk about “rights and security” differently, I envy those people’s optimism.
But the main topic of the press conference was the so-called “enclaves.” Most RA citizens do not understand what it is about and what it means in practice. Armenia considers Artsvashen an “enclave” for its 29.8 thousand square kilometers, which was discussed at the press conference. The village is located 18 km from the eastern border of Armenia and 25 km from Chambarak.
Azerbaijan, for its 86.6 thousand square kilometers, considers the “enclaves” to be six villages of the Tavush Region, including Nerkin Voskepar and Verin Voskepar and Tigranashen of Ararat Region(Pashinyan officially accepts those 29.8 and 86.6).
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We are talking about such settlements, which have a significant strategic position, because they are located in the immediate vicinity of two interstate highways of our country, in the directions of Georgia and Iran, respectively. Handing these settlements to Azerbaijan means handing over the two main land routes to the outside world to the enemy. What is it, if not the end of the Republic of Armenia? Those who think this is impossible should remember if the main interstate road Goris-Kapan is functioning.
So, if Pashinyan stays in power, it is very likely that the state he wants to lead will no longer exist. I do not rule out that such is the “will of the people,” and formal legitimacy requires that the state should be led by a person who destroys that state. But that “legitimacy” doesn’t comfort me.
However, the most important thing is that even after handing over the “enclaves” (which the Prime Minister expressed his willingness to do) and even after the “return” of Azerbaijanis to other settlements in Armenia, there is no guarantee that Azerbaijan will not start a full-scale war against the remnants of Armenia. The lack of guarantees was also discussed at the press conference.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
