Pashinyan: The Karabakh Movement is over

“On the one hand, Azerbaijan speaks about ‘Western Azerbaijan,’ and on the other, it expresses surprise when it encounters the term ‘Karabakh Armenians,’” Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a conversation with journalists.

He recalled that he has repeatedly warned that the topic of return is extremely dangerous.

“I want to make an open, public proposal to Azerbaijan. Just as they face difficulties with these issues, so do we. I propose that we jointly adopt a roadmap to close both topics in parallel, because I have told the people of Karabakh that return is not realistic,” Pashinyan said.

According to him, part of Armenia’s increased state debt is being used to support those displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.

“We are spending significant resources to ensure people can remain in Armenia. If we continue to pursue a return agenda, it means restarting the Karabakh movement. I have said that we should not continue the Karabakh movement. It is over, and attempts to revive it are not beneficial,” he emphasized.

Pashinyan also noted that the concept of “Western Azerbaijan” has no place in Armenia.

“I have stated that there can be no ‘Western Azerbaijan’ in the Republic of Armenia. And yes, if we have recognized each other’s territorial integrity – and we have – then we must fully implement it. This is the path I have envisioned,” he concluded.