2022 April 13

Daily news wrap-up

Apr/13/2022. Daily news digest from Armenia: (1) Pashinyan's speech in Parliament about Karabakh negotiations, status, and why Armenians of Karabakh cannot be physically safe under Azerbaijani rule (2) Response in EU, Artsakh, Armenia (3) Border demarcation process (4) Foreign Ministers spoke
by ar_david_hh

---

17 minutes. 4237 words.

Parliament session. Government was invited to discuss the 2021 report.

Pashinyan: We had successes and failures in 2021. For the first time in our modern history, the elections were used to overcome an internal crisis, instead of creating one. Armenia moved from Electoral Authoritarism to Electoral Democracy category according to international observers.

Macroeconomic stability was preserved last year despite multiple challenges. Moreover, we were able to issue Eurobonds worth $750m at the lowest %. Fitch and Moody's reaffirmed Armenia's stable rating. S&P [assigned](https://www.1lurer.am/en/2021/10/13/Sovereign-rating-to-Armenia’s-Government-with-a-‘positive’-perspective/576048) a credit rating to the government for the first time ever.

Budget revenues exceeded the estimates by ֏147b ($294m). Some of it was spent to address social problems in Artsakh. Since the war, we implemented programs worth ֏136b (>$272m) in Artsakh. This year we allocated ֏144b (>$288m) for Artsakh. There are people who aren't ashamed of claiming Armenia has abandoned Artsakh.

Pashinyan about Nagorno Karabakh conflict & negotiation process:

I have accepted my guilt and responsibility for both the war and the defeat, but I will not accept the opposition's accusations about "treason" and "surrendering lands". It is time to address this.

In a recent interview, I stated that it would be fair to accuse me of not surrendering lands. I made a mistake in 2018-2019 by not telling the public that Armenia's close and not close friends, all of them, expect us to surrender the 7 regions to Azerbaijan and to bring down our benchmark for Artsakh status.

I'm guilty of not telling the public that the international community unequivocally recognized Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and expects us to recognize it, and expects Azeris who left Karabakh to be fully involved in deciding the future of Nagorno Karabakh and its governance.

I'm guilty of not revealing in detail that even the scenarios that seemed unacceptable to us were also unacceptable to Azerbaijan and that the international community was telling us that even if we accept it, they still had to convince Azerbaijan.

By surrendering, I might have saved thousands of lives, but by not surrendering, I became the author of decisions that resulted in thousands of victims.

But I wasn't convinced myself at the time that [accepting those concessions] was the best option, for the same reason why today's opposition is unable to come to terms with reality to date: is it Sanasar or Kutabli? Zangelan or Kovsakan? Some of our colleagues in Armenia and Artsakh, to this day, include the 7 regions while speaking about the Republic of Artsakh's territorial integrity.

I couldn't convince myself [to make concessions] because we believed that our army, for which we have sacrificed so much, would be able to defend Artsakh.

I couldn't convince myself because although world powers agreed on Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, they weren't united on what would happen after we made the concessions. These disagreements [between world powers] intensified after the wars in Libya, Syria, etc.

I couldn't convince myself because after reading the content of the negotiation documents, I realized that Serj Sargsyan did not exaggerate when he said that Armenia was ready to abandon the 7 regions but Azerbaijan would always make new unacceptable demands.

I couldn't convince myself also because I realized that Robert Kocharyan wasn't exaggerating when he said that Armenia has a problem of territorial integrity.

I couldn't convince myself because it was difficult to accept that after 30 years, we could surrender the fruits of victory and get nothing in return. To accept this would mean to admit that by declaring a state we had created a façade and completely and utterly failed the institutional establishment of the state. Even after being in opposition for many years, I could not admit it to myself, and, moreover, I could not announce such a decision and verdict looking into people's eyes.

[Related: Opposition LHK MP Samosyan urged Kocharyan and Serj to also accept their "guilt" and admit that they "mislead the public for years".]

Pashinyan about future negotiations:

We have the same situation today in terms of content and I do not want to repeat the same mistakes. Today, the international community is clearly telling us that being the only country in the world that does not recognize the territorial integrity of Turkey's Azerbaijan, is a big danger not only for Artsakh but also for Armenia.

Today the international community is again telling us to slightly lower our benchmark for Nagorno Karabakh's status, to allow for a greater international consolidation around Armenia and Artsakh. They say otherwise they won't help us, not because they don't want to, but because they can't.

[Related: In response to Pashinyan's statement that the international community wants Armenians to "lower the benchmark", Artsakh president hosted NGOs and announced that Artsakh will continue to purpose the agenda of self-determination.]

Pashinyan about April 6 Brussels meeting:

I gave permission to launch preparatory work for a peace treaty. The format, timeframe and other details are yet to be discussed. It is our plan to sign the treaty, the sooner the better.

We have no illusions. We don't rule out that Azerbaijan could attempt to hinder the process and launch new aggression against Artsakh and Armenia. The same about the border delimitations process. Azerbaijan could attempt to use it to make territorial claims to Armenia.

Calculating the risks, we decided that not trying to achieve progress in the negotiation process is riskier for us. This is why we also agreed to form an AM-AZ delimitation commission.

Its goal is to clarify Azerbaijan's and Armenia's official stance about the borders, use only de-jure documents and facts, give it international legitimacy, and reach an agreement over our borders.

There was criticism after the Brussels meeting, claiming that we abandoned our stance on mirrored withdrawal. But as stated multiple times in the past, a mirrored withdrawal was never a precondition, we couldn't let it be perceived as an attempt to create a deadlock. That is why I said during the March 31 government meeting that we are willing to show flexibility in Brussels. We believe it's only possible to conduct delimitation in areas with sufficient security.

Brussels agreement on delimitation reaffirmed the agreement reached in Sochi. It created the basis to involve Russian and Western partners so they can provide necessary assistance and information.

The commission will have two tasks: border delimitation and border security. We can involve international experts if necessary.

Pashinyan about a possible peace treaty:

One of the OSCE Co-Chairs transferred us a document about Azerbaijan's ideas around a peace treaty. 1) Recognition and respect for each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of internationally recognized borders, and political independence. 2) Recording the absence of territorial claims against each other and de jure recording the obligation not to make such claims against each other in the future. 3) A mutual commitment not to pose a threat to each other's security, territorial integrity or political independence in interstate relations, including by the use of force, and not to take any action incompatible with the goals of the United Nations. 4) Delimitation and demarcation of borders and establishment of diplomatic relations. 5) Unblocking transport and other communications, creating new communications, and cooperating in other areas of mutual interest.

There is nothing unacceptable for Armenia since we've already recognized Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and borders by ratifying the 1992 CIS agreement. Armenia has never had territorial claims from Azerbaijan. Karabakh issue is not a matter of territory but of rights. Therefore, we responded to Azerbaijan's 5-point proposal by stating our principles, which are the security guarantees of Karabakh Armenians, the provision of their rights and freedoms and the clarification of the final status of Nagorno Karabakh. These are of fundamental importance for Armenia.

Armenia is ready to negotiate. It's important to note the difference between our stance now and in the past. If in the past we placed the status in the basis, deriving security guarantees and rights from it, now we place security guarantees and rights in the basis, deriving status from it. In other words, we state that the status quo is not an end in itself, but a means to ensure the security and rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Pashinyan about Azerbaijan's Armenophobic policies:

There is a new addition to Armenia's policy. The strengthening of the international legitimacy of Armenia's position on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh is extremely important for us.

This is why we [sued Azerbaijan in UN's World Court to show the Azeri regime is Armenophobic]. We hope that the verdict, which might not come soon, will play a significant role in protecting the rights of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh and will raise the bar of the perception of the international community on Nagorno Karabakh status.

Azerbaijan is making our case stronger with its hateful policies. The [Saddam Park] in Baku is one example. They displayed beeling Armenian soldiers for people to take smiling photos. The mannequins were removed after the lawsuit.

The most recent evidence of Azerbaijan's racist policies is the events in village Parukh and the ones preceding it. First, Azerbaijan blew up the only gas pipeline to Karabakh, then used the newly installed valve to shut down the gas again amid record snow and cold weather in Karabakh.

Prior to this event, Azeris were using loudspeakers to broadcast a message in Armenian and Russian languages to urge residents to leave their villages, otherwise threatening to force them out. This was accompanied by Azeris using lights to disrupt civilians' lives at night, and broadcasting Muslim prayer. This is nothing but a manifestation of religious terrorism and, on the other hand, a discrediting of Islam.

Azerbaijan's invasion of Parukh proved that they aren't satisfied with the physiological terrorism, and that removal of Armenian civilians with the use of force is one of their main goals.

Questions arise about the activities of Russian peacekeepers in Parukh. It's important for them to take steps to withdraw Azeri troops. This is absolutely necessary, and a serious trial for Russian peacekeepers.

Another proof of racist policies by Azerbaijan is the formation of a group to remove Armenian inscriptions from Armenian churches. It's done by the Culture Ministry of Azerbaijan.

We will use all these facts [in the World Court]. We must use them to prove there is a need for an effective mechanism to ensure the security of Nagorno Karabakh Armenians. We will also use these facts to promote our positions in the peace negotiations and ensure their international legitimacy.

Pashinyan about the fate of OSCE Minsk Group after Ukraine war:

After we agreed in Brussels to launch a peace treaty process and initiate contacts, we were accused of abandoning the Minsk Group format. The reality is a little different. We support MG, but also realize that because of events in Ukraine, there is tension between MG Co-Chairs. This started in 2011 after the Syrian war. It affected our region as well.

We cannot passively wait for MG. A bilateral dialogue doesn't mean MG can't get involved. We will support their participation. We hope the negotiations will begin ASAP. Today the international community is showing a willingness to support the process. We must use the opportunity.

Although Russia is mediating the communication unblocking process, that doesn't stop us from discussing it with France, the US, Georgia, Iran, and the EU. Putin and I recently agreed to activate the unblocking committee. Azerbaijan is attempting to hinder this process with the "corridor". We will defend our interests.

Pashinyan about the army's involvement in politics in February 2021:

Azeri troops encroached on Armenian territories in May 2021. To understand the reason behind the failure it's necessary to understand the events preceding it.

The parliament was dissolved on May 10. Azerbaijan attempted to directly influence the elections with the invasion. It was an attack on our democracy. But the context wouldn't be full without remembering the events in February when the army leadership had demanded the government's resignation. The opposition achieved its goal. Their now-former leader [Vazgen Manukyan] had admitted that during the war he had urged the generals to aim the guns not at the enemy but at the government building.

When you analyze certain events last year, you get the impression that certain military failures were necessary to motivate power change in Armenia. It may seem like a conspiracy, but the analysis leads to such thoughts. Certain ranking army officials joined the opposition ranks before and after their resignation. Many of them were personally responsible for a series of failures, which they blame on the government today.

In any case, the years-long politicization of the army and involving it in corruption schemes led to a catastrophe. Irresponsibility and politicization are why we are uncovering espionage networks in the army today. It raises serious questions. The 1.5-month paralyzation of the army caused by its politicization played a role in the May intrusion.

Army reforms are more important than ever. We need a professional army. We need to replace the conscription system with a periodic reservist training system, somewhat similar to how the 3-month-long training is held today. Ideally, each person should be summoned for retraining multiple times during their life.

Pashinyan about the usefulness of CSTO military bloc:

Azerbaijan's incursion in 2021 was the failure of the army and the government, but the way the CSTO bloc responded was a failure for the organization itself.

To this day, CSTO has not agreed to conduct border monitoring in problematic areas, bolstering long-standing beliefs in Armenia that the organization will remain an observer and won't act when needed.

The fact is, to this day, CSTO has not addressed this issue even as an observer. Azeri soldiers remain in the Sotk-Khoznavar section. The 45 km^2 lands that were occupied in 2021 are not the only ones. In the 1990s Armenia lost 70 km^2. Our political solution is to conduct a border delimitation and demarcation process.

Pashinyan about diplomatic meetings in 2021:

We need to conduct active foreign policy. Last year I met Putin (4x), Gharibashvili (4x), Aliyev (3x), Charles Michel (3x), Iran's Raisi (2x), Macron, Cyprus and Lithuania leaders.

The goal is to better understand what the world wants and how it thinks, to make our stance clear, to synchronize it with global trends, and to conduct a balanced foreign policy.

We're activating our contacts with Georgia and Iran, while at the same time making attempts to hold dialogue with Azerbaijan and Turkey. We have no illusions here, but the dialogue must continue. It's in our best interests.

Pashinyan about reforms:

I'm glad that the hardships in 2021 did not stop us from making institutional reforms. The formation of the Patrol Police was an important step. This week they will expand to Shirak and Lori.

Public education. You are aware that for the first time in our history, we adopted state standards for preschools. Kindergartens and preschools should not be just a place where the parent temporarily leaves the child. We launched the process to build 500 kindergartens by 2026. This should also allow young mothers to join the labor force. Women are the majority. It will be difficult to overcome the challenges without their support.

The next important institutional change is the construction of 300 schools, new standards, and the teacher attestation process. Launched last year, it should ensure continuous salary raise for teachers and exclusion of those with insufficient skills. 400 teachers have already received a 30%-50% raise since last year.

This year we raised the science funding by an unprecedented 83%. It isn't just about funds. A new system is being implemented to make science more attractive to youth and others. Scientists' salaries have already increased by 40%-165%. [lists other reforms, like the Anti-Corruption Committee, stolen asset forfeiture, the upcoming anti-corruption court judges, etc.]

--

Pashinyan answered MPs' questions.

Q: In 2021 Armenia and Turkey launched a process to normalize diplomatic relations without preconditions, but Turkey expects AM-AZ relations to be addressed first. What can be done to achieve results faster?

You are correct. Special envoys have agreed without preconditions. During international meetings, we express our view that we believe the process might not achieve results quickly. We need to take small steps to move forward to keep the dialogue alive.

Q: Is any country [Russia] hindering the AM-TR normalization process?

No, but we should remember that this is first of all a bilateral AM-TR process, aided by the international community.

Q: How long will the border delimitation last?

We're certainly not talking about days or months. The demarcation between AM-GE and GE-AZ started in the 1990s but hasn't finished yet. But we don't want AM-AZ demarcation to last 20 years. This is why we should invite international experts that went through a similar process in their countries. For example, OSCE has a demarcation methodology on how the process can be done. The committee will form this month. It will then address other issues.

Q: Can you declassify the whole Karabakh negotiation process and letters?

We've essentially published the whole thing, with some minor reservations. There aren't many letters to declassify, they can fit in a plastic sleeve because not everything was recorded. Of course, there are some important negotiation logs involving foreign diplomats but we can't publish those because it would be inappropriate.

The opposition earlier promised to publish documents. Let them do it. I won't be against it. What they publish will prove what we've been saying all along.

MP: We can't have a proper discussion with our opposition colleagues. An MP from Meghri claims the option to exchange Meghri was never discussed. We have reached a point of absurdity. Only declassification of the process can allow us to exit this state. Our opposition colleagues should at least accept your offer to hold closed-door meetings to discuss the negotiation process.

Pashinyan: The real issue is not the content of the negotiation process. Everything has been publicly discussed. The only thing left is to put it together.

Q: Many people still don't understand the negative developments that unfolded in the negotiation process in 2016.

In 1998 Levon Ter-Petrosyan was in favor of a phased resolution. Serj, Kocharyan, and the Karabakh government rejected it. They wanted a "package".

The documents that Minsk Group placed in front of me was titled "“О первом этапе и дальнейших шагах Нагорно Карабахского урегулирования." (Ղարաբաղյան կարգավորման առաջին փուլի և հետագա քայլերի մասին)

In other words, the person who said that a phased resolution was essentially treason, or "partovoghakanutyun" in his words, left behind a paper about a phased resolution. The person who changed the government to prevent a phased resolution ended up negotiating a phased resolution, but a worse one.

But you should remember that all of this doesn't guarantee that Azerbaijan would accept it. The opposition says "we would have resolved it by doing this and that". So why haven't you? They present negotiation papers, which Azerbaijan did not sign, and claim it's a diplomatic victory. By August 2016, it wasn't even a phased resolution, it was a hyper-phased. //

[Serj Sargsyan responded saying he did not negotiate over a "phased" resolution and that it was a "package" that consisted of phases. Ruling MPs accused Serj of manipulating the record to describe what's essentially a phased resolution as a "packaged" to save face.]

Q: What happened to Artsakh's interim status in 2016 papers?

The Co-Chairs presented a document in January that stated that Nagorno Karabakh would not have an interim status. Serj obviously rejected it.

April war takes place two months later.

The second package is offered in July. It again states that Karabakh would not have an interim status.

The third package is offered in August, with a new component about the UN Security Council. In 2017, Levon Ter-Petrosyan gave an interview in which he stated that the international community will decide Karabakh's status. This is what he was referring to.

In 2016 the issue of Karabakh status was no longer on OSCE role. It was excluded. Gone. The international community must decide the status. But the international community will prioritize certain things [unfavorable to Armenia].

This is why Azerbaijan has long wanted to move the process to the UN.

Pashinyan about the document presented in 2019:

Again, Azerbaijan has never accepted any document, even the ones we considered unacceptable.

Serj Sargsyan accused us of falling into a trap in 2019. The "trap" was the document proposed in 2019, in which Armenia was asked to give 7 regions. Serj wonders how we fell into that "trap". We didn't. We inherited what was left by Serj. There were no significant negotiations by us prior to that.

Could have we prevented the war? Yes. We would be in the same situation as today, without the deaths. We would be in the same situation. I can't disclose everything in order not to harm our positions in future negotiations, but there were Meghri, 1998, 2016. Serj fought against a phased resolution but left with a phased resolution on the table. People who don't know the full details about this process often get entangled and draw incorrect conclusions.

Pashinyan about the army:

After the revolution, we agreed not to appoint our people and politicize the army. The Minister was a member of a former government under the Serj administration, etc. We did not appoint our people in MOD and army, thinking it was a "family" that should not be disrupted.

It was a mistake. I wasn't informed about the lack of bulletproof vests and helmets in the army until the 3rd day of the war. We spent hundreds of millions of dollars on weapons. Couldn't they tell us to buy those, too? This is why the MOD [Papikyan] is a member of our political team today. //

[full](https://youtu.be/9fobH2Ph8YQ) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1080489.html) [source](https://www.primeminister.am/hy/statements-and-messages/item/2022/04/13/Nikol-Pashinyan-Speech/) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1080511.html) [source](https://factor.am/499307.html) [source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/234931) [source](https://www.civilnet.am/news/657664/արցախում-ռուսական-խաղաղապահ-ուժերի-ներկայությունը-պետք-է-լինի-անժամկետ․-արայիկ-հարությունյան/) [source](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/234968) [source](https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31801864.html)

Tags: #2019document #Karabakh #PashinyanSpeech

EU Representative Toivo Klaar about Pashinyan's speech:

An important and forward-looking speech by Premier Pashinyan in the Parliament today. Many challenges remain on the road to a comprehensive settlement but it is important to move forward. Armenia has EU's support in the search for a just peace.

[source](https://twitter.com/ToivoKlaar/status/1514284954783555593?s=20&t=0_YTU3nn5BXf8UY_RHaojA)

Russia says it blocked opposition MPs' access to Artsakh to "prevent provocations"

[Context in Tuesday news](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/u28tm2/your_daily_news_digest_from_armenia_tuesday/). Opposition alliances boycotted the parliament session and wanted to visit Armenia's borders regions and Artsakh instead. The ruling party urged them not to, to avoid further escalations amid the tensions in Parukh. The MPs traveled anyway but were blocked by peacekeepers. Armenia's Foreign Ministry and Pashinyan criticized the peacekeepers' decision.

MFA Mirzoyan: We established contact with the governments of Russia and Artsakh after the incident. Russia informed us that the entry was blocked to prevent provocations. We expressed our position that the Nov. 9 statement does not envisage such restrictions, let alone for Armenian deputies. //

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1080536.html)

Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan spoke over the phone yesterday

Mirzoyan: We held a phone conversation at the request of the Azerbaijani side. We spoke about the events of the past year, Brussels results, the formation of the delimitation commission, and efforts towards a peace treaty.

OSCE Minsk Group should remain the platform that resolves the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. There are currently problems relating to [Ukraine war]. //

Bayramov: The telephone conversation with Mirzoyan was professional and constructive. Further steps are expected to make progress in restoring relations between the two countries. //

During Parliamentary Q&A, Mirzoyan said that there is a general understanding, formed during the Brussels meeting, that a group of Armenian POWs should be released. Negotiations continue.

[source](https://youtu.be/2nyVqC-oKMQ) [source](https://factor.am/498977.html) [source](https://youtu.be/kK5LXVIyL4U)

Defense Minister discussed cooperation with India's ambassador

Papikyan and Dewal spoke about cooperation in military-technical, education, training, and peacekeeping areas. They emphasized a need to sign a cooperation agreement.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1080569.html)

Armenia elected member of the UN Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations

For the term of 2023-2026. Armenia received votes from 47 of 54 member states. Armenia is being elected for the first time.

>In the course of its membership, Armenia will contribute to the more active and meaningful engagement of civil society and non-governmental organizations in the UN processes.

[source](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1080575.html)

44% of adults have been fully vaccinated

Half of the adults have received at least one shot.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1080529.html)

VIDEO: Armenian company EVAN is producing electric vehicle chargers

[video](https://youtu.be/BZe_Ad6HS5w)

Pentagon has confirmed the first-ever interstellar visitor to Earth

A meteor that splashed into the South Pacific in 2014 is the first known to have origins outside our Solar System.

It was the third interstellar object ever detected in our system, and the first to enter our atmosphere. It flew over Papua New Guinea at a speed of 130,000 mph and did not survive. The debris fell into the South Pacific Ocean.

[source](https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/solar-system/a39704079/first-known-interstellar-object-on-earth/)

today in history

1926: first Armenian film "Namus" premiers.

1941: A pact of non-aggression is signed between USSR and Japan. For most of WW2, the two nations fought against each other's allies but not against each other. In 1945, late in the war, the Soviets scrapped the pact and joined the Allied campaign against Japan.

1963: Garry Kasparov is born.

1991: Lenin's statue is removed from Republic Square.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1080463.html) [source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_13)

more

The news in русский (by Impossible-Ad-).

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

---

Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/u30oeh/apr132022_daily_news_digest_from_armenia_1/