In the Comprehensive and Extended Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between Armenia and the EU in Brussels in November 2017 and ratified in the parliaments of all European Union members, the European Union specifically committed to supporting the settlement of the Artsakh conflict, also based on the principle of equality and self-determination of peoples. Referring to the observation that EU Council President Charles Michel’s statements contradict this official and not cancelled commitments, Tevan Poghosyan, the guest of Aravot’s “Areresum” (“Confrontation”) program and the President of the International Center for Human Development, said that interests guide him. “At the time, we had a government demanded it; we signed a document. Now the government that owns that document (that document belongs to Armenia, doesn’t it) says; I don’t need it, I don’t want to do this; hand over that Artsakh, let it go, and help me formulate it. That person also helps with the executive; why are you surprised?”
The President of the International Center for Human Development added: “If you put your hopes on the European Union, then please forget everything. In connection with the signed CEPA agreement, start remembering: September 27, 2020 (the agreement also stipulates the provision of refraining from using force or threatening it – A.I.). Was there an announcement within 44 days? Let’s start there; if they weren’t interested, then… That document existed even then, didn’t it?” Tevan Poghosyan asked later: “But why do you only quote Charles Michel?” It would be a mistake to listen to him and not listen to Toivo Klaar simultaneously or look at his tweets. As of today, most European officials probably have a line in the payment document of the President of Azerbaijan, Aliyev. Toivo Klaar: this much money, Charles Michel: this much money to solve their problems and get gas, that is the impression. ”
During the discussion, it was also touched upon the fact that during the summary of the tripartite meeting in Brussels, one of the main demands of the Armenian government in the last six months was not mentioned: the direct dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert within the framework of the international mechanism.
Former Foreign Minister of Artsakh, Ambassador Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiary Karen Mirzoyan said in this regard: “When Armenia, its current leader, announced that it recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, from that moment, I think, the problem of that mechanism was also closed.
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In some respects, we have an ideal opponent; in other cases, you have to puzzle over what your other side, the “negotiating partner,” wants to say and his goals. In the case of Ilham Aliyev, everything is straightforward. The man explains everything in an understandable text. He has repeatedly said that since Armenia accepted the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, there can be no talk of any mechanism because it is the internal affairs of our country”.
During the conversation, reference was made to the statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry half an hour before the tripartite meeting, in which Russia declared official Yerevan responsible for the fate of Armenians in Artsakh. “At the summits held under the auspices of the European Union in October 2022 and May 2023, Armenia recognized Nagorno- Karabakh as part of the territory of Azerbaijan. We respect the sovereign decision of the leadership of Armenia.
Still, it radically changed the fundamental conditions under which the statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia was signed on November 9, 2020, and the situation of the Russian peacekeeping troops stationed in the region. We think that under these circumstances, the responsibility for the fate of the Armenian population of Karabakh should not be placed on third countries.”
“Of course, the text of the statement is not ideal, and, of course, many elements seem to contradict our point of view. But, in my opinion, the statement reflects the real situation that has formed today in the relations between Armenia and Russia, – said Karen Mirzoyan in particular, suggesting to ask ourselves why these relations have reached that point today;- When we can properly analyze the situation and have the courage to speak the truth about it, I think many stones will fall into place.”
The complete discussion in the video
Anna ISRAYELYAN
