Any contract is a deal. There’s no need to fear that word. You give up something in order to gain something. If you have nothing to offer or nothing to receive, signing an agreement is meaningless.
Now, let’s try to understand what we are giving up and what we are getting in return. Let’s set aside the formal assurances that Armenia and Azerbaijan recognize each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. At this very moment, several armed conflicts are raging between states that have mutually recognized these principles—at least on paper.
Instead, let’s focus on two key points that, until recently, were not agreed upon but have now been “settled.” In other words, these are concessions that Armenia has made.
Renouncing claims in international courts.
Beyond the fact that the Armenian government has no legal authority to renounce such claims, this effectively means that we no longer assert that the Azerbaijani state and its people committed crimes against Armenians. Naturally, this provokes an emotional reaction. But even from a purely diplomatic perspective, there should be a logical trade-off. In that case, Azerbaijan should likewise declare that it no longer claims Armenia and Armenians committed crimes against Azerbaijanis.
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Have we achieved that diplomatic result? No. Armenians are still being prosecuted in Baku. Moreover, Azerbaijan is now demanding that Armenia hand over so-called “criminals” from its own territory.
The removal of “third-country representatives” from the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
More specifically, the withdrawal of European Union observers. It is worth recalling that Russia was the loudest voice opposing their presence. Meanwhile, Pashinyan’s “pro-European” propagandists claimed that these observers were a guarantee of our sovereignty and security. Of course, that was never the case.
But what exactly did we get in return for this concession?
Did Azerbaijan withdraw even one meter from the sovereign Armenian territory it occupied two or three years ago?
That the so-called “peace agreement” has nothing to do with actual peace is best demonstrated by Azerbaijan’s own high-ranking officials. According to them, they will not sign an agreement unless Armenia changes its constitution and officially dissolves the OSCE Minsk Group.
And do you think these will be their final demands?
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
