No:395/23, Commentary on unfounded allegations made by Ararat Mirzoyan, Foreign Minister of Armenia at the press conference with Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria
On July 18, 2023, Ararat Mirzoyan, Foreign Minister of Armenia demonstrated that Armenia is not interested in peace and stability in the region by accusing Azerbaijan of a number of unfounded allegations at the press conference with Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria.
The fact that instead of respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, hindrance of the peace process by the Foreign Minister of Armenia using pretext of “rights and security” of Armenians living in Karabakh, which has been under occupation for almost 30 years and where ethnic cleansing was carried out against Azerbaijanis, testifies to the true intentions of Armenian officials. It is unacceptable to have in mind only the rights of Armenian residents by saying "population of Karabakh" and to ignore the rights and security of Azerbaijani residents who were expelled from these lands.
Azerbaijan is the party initiating dialogue with Armenian residents, and it is important to reciprocate these goodwill steps of Azerbaijan. At the same time, Armenia should understand that Azerbaijan is and will equally ensure the rights and security of all ethnic minorities living in the country.
Allegations of a “tense humanitarian situation” in the region are Armenia's political gamble and manipulation. Opposing Azerbaijan’s proposal to transport goods via the Aghdam-Khankendi road is a manifestation of the fact that these claims have no basis. Armenia’s distortion of the decision of the International Court of Justice dated July 6, 2023, on the unanimous rejection of Armenia's request on the removal of the Lachin Checkpoint, as well as the military provocation against the Checkpoint, and the smuggling attempts, is an indication that Armenia does not intend to comply with international norms and principles.
Furthermore, it does not make sense that Armenia, which has violated all borders by keeping the Azerbaijani territories under occupation for about 30 years and has not yet fully withdrawn Armenian armed forces from the Azerbaijani territories, put forward a condition for clarity on the state border and stated that this is a key factor in the negotiation process.
Armenia, which has not complied with its commitment to open unobstructed transport routes from the western regions of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan for the past three years, now postponing and conditioning the opening of transport infrastructures under various pretexts, demonstrates that this country still does not understand that its self-isolation policy for almost 30 years has not done it any good.
If Armenia is interested in peace, stability, and security in the region, it must stop the hypocrisy and fraudulent manipulations and comply with its obligations within international law for the successful outcome of the peace process.