YEREVAN — Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia had created an opportunity for a political process in Nagorno-Karabakh, but certain actors not only obstructed it, but also carried out a change of power there.
“Some representatives of the ruling circles in Karabakh not only obstructed the political process, but also implemented a change of power. Meanwhile, members of Armenia’s National Assembly were congratulating each other. Just one week after those congratulations, the events we all witnessed took place,” Pashinyan said during a briefing following a government meeting.
He noted that warnings had been issued in advance about possible escalations, but despite those warnings, some individuals continued to make celebratory statements about their plans for Karabakh and Armenia.
“I want to confirm that what they did in Karabakh, they intended to do next in Armenia,” he stated.
Pashinyan also addressed accusations that the Armenian government had closed the borders and prevented people from leaving, calling such claims false. He said he had warned Karabakh representatives at the time that if they left, there would be no opportunity to return.
Addressing discussions about the risk of genocide in Karabakh, the Prime Minister urged an end to narratives that fuel fear.
“When everyone in the region accuses each other of genocide, such rhetoric only reproduces more of the same. Likewise, constant talk of return only leads to more rhetoric about return. All of this serves one purpose: to prevent the people of Armenia, including the people of Karabakh, from achieving peace and to keep them in a state of displacement and uncertainty,” he said.
He emphasized that Armenia’s strategy is to move toward peace and stability.
“There is a Republic of Armenia, and nothing else. Therefore, we must establish ourselves in the Republic of Armenia,” he said, referencing Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents.
Pashinyan further claimed that narratives about fighting “until the end” are false and promised to present evidence at the appropriate time.
He also accused former leaders, including Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Serzh Sargsyan, and Robert Kocharyan, of not representing the Armenian people and lacking democratic legitimacy.
According to the Prime Minister, these political forces have never truly represented the people of Armenia or Nagorno-Karabakh.
