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“If the demarcation and delimitation of new state borders is carried out based on the maps of the Soviet Union, as Nikol Pashinyan stated, after Syunik the Turks will next turn to Ararat, Vayots Dzor and Tavush Provinces,” leader of the opposition Homeland Party Artur Vanetsyan told reporters at a rally of the Homeland Salvation Movement in Yerevan on Saturday.

Vanetsyan, who previously headed Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS), referred to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statement that the demarcation and delimitation of country’s borders with Azerbaijan would be carried out according to the maps of the Soviet Union.

“As a person who worked at the National Security Service for many years and led the agency, I can say that this is a treacherous statement, because during the Soviet period the borders were not clear, as, in fact, there was one single state. If now we are guided by that maps, we will have territorial losses in Ararat, Vayots Dzor and Tavush Provinces, we already have lost territories in Syunik Province. For instance, the village of Kyarki is included in the territory of Nakhichevan according to the Soviet maps,” Vanetsyan said.

According to the opposition leader, if Azerbaijan starts to draw its borders from Syunik in line with the maps of the Soviet Union, it could do the same in Ararat or Tavush.

He believes that the Armenian authorities cannot oppose Turkey’s actions in any way, agreeing to any demands made by the enemy.

“We should realize that we may lose our country. If the Azerbaijani armed forces are deployed on the border of Syunik, the width of the border strip area must be at least 3 km. This strip will be at the expense of the territory of the Republic of Armenia. These territories don’t fall under Azerbaijan’s control, but become neutral zones. Some of them are agricultural lands, land plots and houses of people,” he said, adding Azerbaijani forces could easily target the town of Kapan in that case.

“Come to your senses, people, and realize that we are facing serious security threats. I believe that it is necessary to conduct an investigation into the start, course and outcome of this war, which will give answers to all our questions. I do not expect a fair probe under the current regime,” Vanetsyan added.