Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Denies Final Decision on Border Demarcation Talks with Azerbaijan

Today the opposition called for a parliamentary session with Armenia’s ruling government. The session was a closed-door meeting between opposition leaders and government officials. In attendance was Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan. The Deputy PM is the person who is engaged in talks with Azerbaijan to address border delimitation and demarcation. 

The Armenian Report’s political correspondent Ani Gevorgyan was in the National Assembly building to ask Grigoryan about the border delimitation and demarcation talks with Azerbaijan.

Grigoryan refuted claims of a conclusive agreement to commence the demarcation process in Tavush and he emphasized that the issue remains subject to ongoing deliberations.

The Deputy PM asserted, "There is no decision yet," emphasizing the necessity for a finalized agreement on fundamental principles before initiating the demarcation process. "The decision to commence delimitation in that area can only be made once a consensus is reached on other fundamental issues," he remarked, highlighting concerns surrounding security, social, and legal aspects.

Acknowledging some alignment in perceptions between the parties, Grigoryan also recognized prevailing similarities on various issues. Talks regarding the initiation of border demarcation in Tavush emerged in March, following Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's visit to the northeastern province. During the visit, Pashinyan engaged with residents of local communities of the four villages that are now under Azerbaijani threat. 

Pashinyan indicated a willingness to consider Baku's demands for Armenian withdrawal from these villages without attaching conditions related to the liberation of Armenian territories occupied by Azerbaijani forces. This stance elicited strong condemnation from opposition leaders and raised concerns among residents of affected Tavush villages, who fear land loss, communication disruptions, and increased vulnerability to Azerbaijani attacks.

Contrary to perceptions of Armenian readiness for unilateral concessions, Grigoryan asserted, "The impression that the Armenian side was ready to make unilateral concessions and that Azerbaijan was not content even with that was 'wrong.'"

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan disclosed that Armenia and Azerbaijan had repeatedly agreed in high-level meetings to recognize each other's territorial integrity based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration. However, he noted Azerbaijani reluctance to reflect this agreement in a draft peace treaty.

Further complicating matters, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalian confirmed Armenia's response to recent Azerbaijani proposals concerning the draft peace treaty but refrained from disclosing specifics.

These developments are happening against a backdrop of escalating tensions along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, with both sides accusing each other of initiating cross-border fire.