Do we agree with the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group? We agree with the following reasoning: if there is no conflict, what is the point of a format that is engaged in servicing the conflict? But we want to make sure that the dissolution of the Minsk Group co-chairmanship means the same thing for Azerbaijan, not that Azerbaijan’s intention is to dissolve the Minsk Group co-chairmanship and start a new conflict over the territories of Armenia on the basis of forming territorial claims. Does that mean peace? Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said this at a press conference on January 31.
“If this somehow prevents Azerbaijan from creating a conflict, then what is the point of dissolving that group, that is, we dissolve it, that… If this means a green light for Azerbaijan to present and deepen territorial claims against Armenia, what is the point of that action,” he said.
And is there any basis to think that Azerbaijan might have such an intention? Pashinyan believes that there are such grounds.
“The very 'Western Azerbaijan' phrase is a direct encroachment on the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia not only because Azerbaijan, in fact, officially calls about 60 percent of the sovereign territory of Armenia Western Azerbaijan, but also because they have included formulations in the concept of the organization with the corresponding name, which means that this organization, not only that organization, but also any person using this phrase does not recognize the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia by at least 60 percent.
I repeat, Western Azerbaijan is the western regions of Azerbaijan,” Pashinyan said and announced that there cannot be Western Azerbaijan in the territory of Armenia, and any topic under this vocabulary is not debatable for Armenia.
Pashinyan also emphasized that it is against this background that the Republic of Armenia has the right to have an army.