YEREVAN—During a press conference on March 12, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan denied that Armenia will surrender villages from the Tavush region to Azerbaijan. He asserted that discussions about such transfers have never occurred and will not take place in the future. He reiterated the delineation of borders established during the Soviet era, emphasizing Armenia’s distinct sovereignty from Azerbaijan.
“The villages with such names mentioned in Azerbaijani media have never existed within the territory of Armenia, neither in Soviet nor post-Soviet times,” Pashinyan said.
While stating that there have been no discussions about surrendering the four villages in Tavush, Pashinyan indicated his openness to initiating the process of delimiting the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in Tavush.
Pashinyan acknowledged debate over the starting point for delimitation, emphasizing the importance of considering security challenges and ensuring stability. Pashinyan expressed caution regarding territorial exchanges post-delimitation, citing potential risks and complexities that may arise.
However, concerns linger over Pashinyan’s contradictory remarks. Previously, Pashinyan discussed the possibility of handing over the villages in Tavush during an interview with Azatutyun in May 2023. This declaration stirred debate over implications of such decisions for Armenia’s security and territorial integrity.
Some have speculated whether his statements imply a denial of Armenian claims to the villages in question, thereby suggesting they are Azerbaijani territory. A deeper apprehension is the potential concession of strategically significant roads to Azerbaijan. The villages are located along a main highway connecting Armenia to Georgia and the pipeline that supplies Armenia with natural gas from Russia. As Armenia’s formidable defensive line in the Tavush region faces dismantlement, there are fears of losing advantageous positions to Azerbaijani forces.
The press conference convened against the backdrop of two consequential developments: the convocation of the seventh session of the State Border Demarcation and Border Security Committee, followed by Baku’s demand for the return of four villages located in Tavush.
The seventh meeting of the State Border Demarcation and Border Security Commission between the republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan, along with the State Commission for the Demarcation of the State Border between the two nations, convened on March 7 at the border between the two countries. Chaired by Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, the gathering aimed to address crucial issues surrounding border demarcation and security.
According to statements from the Armenian Foreign Ministry, discussions centered on exchanging proposals regarding border demarcation. Additionally, the MFA says that progress was made towards finalizing a draft regulation outlining the collaborative efforts of the state commissions. An agreement was reached to expedite the coordination process for the draft regulation governing the joint activities of the commissions.
However, following the meeting, Baku issued a direct ultimatum to Yerevan, demanding the prompt return of four villages positioned on the Tavush border.
The Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister’s office emphasized the “unequivocal ownership of the villages” claiming they rightfully belong to Azerbaijan and must be promptly relinquished. While the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to officially respond to Baku’s demand, Deputy PM Grigoryan’s office has confirmed that Azerbaijan has insisted during meetings on reclaiming the villages without withdrawing its troops from Armenian territories.
Currently, 31 settlements spanning across five regions of Armenia, totaling approximately 200 square kilometers, are under Azerbaijani occupation, with some falling under Azerbaijani control during the first Artsakh war in the 1990s and others seized during the Azerbaijani incursions of 2021-22.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has previously stated his intentions to maintain control over these territories, affirming, “We will not take a single step back from our positions in May 2021 and September 2022, because that border must be established.”
Pashinyan’s remarks have sparked strong condemnation from opposition voices, who say that he is prepared to make new concessions to Azerbaijan.
MP Garnik Danielyan of the Armenia faction in the National Assembly issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of surrendering villages in the Tavush region, highlighting a range of dangers associated with such a decision.
Danielyan stressed that Armenia’s entire defense system would be compromised, allowing the enemy to penetrate deep into the country’s rear. He pointed out that Azerbaijan could seize control of Armenia’s main gas pipeline, posing a serious threat to the nation’s energy security. Additionally, he raised concerns about Azerbaijan demanding access to communication routes leading to these villages, further eroding Armenia’s sovereignty.
Danielyan also expressed apprehension about the proximity of Azerbaijani military units to Armenian settlements, heightening the risk of conflict escalation. He warned that Azerbaijani forces might occupy strategic points along the Armenia-Georgia road, disrupting vital interstate transportation. Danielyan cautioned that surrendering the villages would effectively transform the Lori region into a border area, emphasizing the significant geopolitical implications for Armenia.
In a scathing critique posted on his Facebook page, Avetik Chalabyan, coordinator of the HayaQve initiative, condemned the Prime Minister’s recent actions, accusing him of attempting to deceive the Armenian people and pave the way for further concessions. Chalabyan highlighted the Prime Minister’s purported plans to hand over a crucial section of the Tavush border, which currently hosts the Yerevan-Ijevan-Noyemberyan-Tbilisi interstate road, under the guise of promoting a false “peace agenda.”
Asserting that the true aim behind such actions is not peace but the gradual surrender of Armenia’s sovereignty, Chalabyan warned of the perilous implications of such moves. He underscored the need for unity and vigilance among Armenians to safeguard their homeland against external threats.
The government’s apparent shift in stance regarding territorial negotiations has sparked controversy, as it moves towards unilateral concessions. Tigran Abrahamyan, secretary of the I Have Honor faction, raised concerns about this development on his Facebook page.
Abrahamyan highlighted the government’s recent actions, juxtaposing its previous insistence on the return of Azerbaijani-occupied territories as a precondition for negotiations with its current preparation for territorial concessions. He pointed out the contradiction between the lack of positive developments in negotiations with Azerbaijan and the government’s willingness to hand over four villages with plans for additional concessions in the future.
Characterizing these moves as unilateral concessions, Abrahamyan warned of the potential consequences both domestically and internationally. He expressed apprehension that such actions could lead to further territorial losses for Armenia and called for a reconsideration of the government’s approach to negotiations with Azerbaijan.
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