Armenian FM Urges Clarity in Narrative: Calls on Russia to Accurately Portray Chronology of Events
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, in a press conference on Tuesday, called on Russia to refrain from accusing Armenia of actions for which it is not guilty, emphasizing the importance of accurately presenting the chronology of events in the recent Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations.
Mirzoyan recounted the events that transpired in August 2022 when Russia presented proposals, including a provision deferring the status of Nagorno-Karabakh indefinitely. Armenia accepted these proposals by the end of August, but Azerbaijan expressed disagreement. In September 2022, Azerbaijan initiated an attack on the sovereign territory of Armenia, leading Armenia to seek assistance from Russia.
However, Mirzoyan revealed that Russia, in its response, cited difficulties in assessing the extent of the violation of Armenia's sovereign territory due to the unclear border in the area. The situation prompted Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign a quadrilateral statement in Prague in October 2022, agreeing to delimit borders based on the Almaty declaration.
The Foreign Minister highlighted that, initially, there was no clear acknowledgment of violations of Armenia's border by Azerbaijan on the part of Russia. Therefore, Mirzoyan urged the Russian side to present an accurate chronology of events and establish a cause-and-effect relationship, refraining from placing undue blame on Armenia.
Mirzoyan emphasized that Armenia took concrete steps, including statements made in Prague, in response to alleged actions by others. He stressed the need for clarity in the narrative, urging Russia not to accuse Armenia of actions for which it is not guilty.
Regarding any new Russian proposals in the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations, Mirzoyan stated that he is not aware of such developments. As tensions persist in the region, the call for an accurate portrayal of events becomes crucial in fostering understanding and resolving the complex issues surrounding the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.
