The prime minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, gave his opinions on the Russian military contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh, the prospects for peace with Azerbaijan, and Armenia’s stance on a 3+3 format in an interview with Armenian Public TV on Sunday (7 November).
Pashinyan began by thanking Putin and the Russian federation for the help provided by its military contingent, stating: “there are Russian peacekeepers deployed in Nagorno Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor, whose activities we highly appreciate, who are today key players in ensuring security in Nagorno Karabakh, and this must be recorded”.
He noted however that the ceasefire had not always been respected, and that there had been many injuries and casualties since the ceasefire almost a year ago. He also drew attention to the issue of Armenian prisoners, accusing Azerbaijan of illegally detaining prisoners of war. Nevertheless, he said that there was no doubt that the 9 November declaration and the deployment of Russian military contingent were “fundamental achievements”.
Asked about the so called “Zangazur Corridor”, the prime minister said that the issue “had been closed since 9 November 2020, when the declaration was signed, and I have referred to this issue numerous times". He also commended the work undertaken by the trilateral working group, which aims to unblock transport communications and promoting economic links.
On the issue of normalising relations with Azerbaijan, Pashinyan affirmed that “making peace proposal is not the monopoly of Azerbaijan. We have offered peace ourselves, we have done it several times”. He also dismissed Aliyev’s comments that Armenia had not responded to Azerbaijan’s proposals, noting that Armenia had clearly laid out its position on the issue and repeatedy expressed its readiness to begin the process.
The prime minister of Armenia also noted that while Armenia was ready to begin the process of demarcation and delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, it would be difficult to imagine this beginning "when shootings take place every day". He also added that there was, as of yet, no agreement on a trilateral meeting with Putin and Aliyev.
Finally, Pashinyan also commented on the much discussed 3+3 format which Russia recently spoke out in favour of, laying out Armenia’s position on the issue. He noted that “the possible 3+3 format shouldn’t have the kind of items on its agenda which we are already discussing in other formats in agreed terms. In particular, the issue of opening regional communications, the issue of the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and so on. In other words, if that format brings a new agenda, a mutually acceptable agenda, for example, the study of economic transit opportunities in the region, it can be very interesting, we can be interested in it”.