Opposition MP Warns of Consequences if Four Tavush Villages Handed Over to Azerbaijan; Government Official Says Those Villages Don’t Belong to Armenia

In a clear warning about the potential ramifications of handing over four villages in the Tavush Province of Armenia to Azerbaijan, opposition MP Garnik Danielyan highlighted the serious implications for Armenia's security and infrastructure.

Danielyan visited the Tavush Province to demonstrate the potential consequences of ceding control of these villages. He emphasized that such an action would result in the complete breakdown of the defensive line established in the 1990s, allowing Azerbaijani forces to penetrate deep into Armenian territory, posing significant threats.

One of the key concerns raised by Danielyan is the impact on critical infrastructure, particularly the Russian natural gas pipeline that crosses through the Verin Voskepar village. Should control of this area be transferred to Azerbaijan, the pipeline would fall under Azerbaijani authority, potentially disrupting the flow of essential energy resources into Armenia.

Furthermore, Danielyan stressed the strategic importance of these villages in relation to communication routes. He warned that Azerbaijan would likely demand control over communication networks, further complicating the situation and potentially endangering the livelihoods of local Armenian communities.

Of particular concern is the proximity of Azerbaijani military units to Armenian civilian areas, including schools, kindergartens, and state institutions. Danielyan highlighted the detrimental impact this would have on the daily lives of residents, rendering normal activities impossible and creating an atmosphere of insecurity.

In a chilling prediction, Danielyan outlined the potential deployment of Azerbaijani troops along key sections of the Yerevan-Tbilisi highway, a vital interstate road connecting Armenia to Georgia. This deployment would not only jeopardize the maintenance of the road but also effectively isolate Armenia, as Azerbaijani forces seek to encircle the country.

The consequences of such actions extend beyond mere territorial disputes, with Danielyan warning that Lori Province could effectively become a border guard for Azerbaijan, further eroding Armenia's sovereignty and security.

Danielyan's urgent plea serves as a sobering reminder of the threats facing Armenia’s sovereignty.

Just yesterday, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a press conference with journalists where he was asked about the four villages in Tavush. Although the PM said that no four villages will be passed onto Azerbaijan, him and his government are also denying that these four villages ever even belonged to Armenia. 

Today, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, Gnel Sanosyan, mentioned to reporters at the National Assembly that the Tavush Province’s four villages which Azerbaijan demands from Armenia are not located in the administrative territory of Armenia.

To the question as to whether only roads should be changed, or the route of the Russian natural gas pipeline entering Armenia via Georgia should also be changed, the minister responded, "Work should be done, from which it will be clear whether it is only a road, only a gas pipeline, or it may refer to other infrastructures as well. That work has not started yet, there are no dates yet."

When asked if nothing is clear yet and the border delimitation commissions still have to work, why is the Armenian PM in a hurry to say that those four villages are not in the Armenian territory, Sanosyan said, "Although the work is not finished, some work has been done, there are certain maps in which something can be seen."

And as for whether Armenia will give those four villages to Azerbaijan in exchange for nothing or will it demand that the Azerbaijani-occupied territories of 31 Armenian villages be returned to Armenia, Sanosyan responded, "It's nothing, it's part of the process, it can be part of the work of border delimitation commissions."

The Armenian official dismissed the reports that they are already building alternative roads in those areas.