Pashinyan: Azeri attack calls into question fundamental agreements with Armenia
It is too early to talk about signing a peace deal with Azerbaijan, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday.
The Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders are set to meet in Brussels on Sunday for a fresh round of talks to be hosted by European Council President Charles Michel.
"How likely is it that a peace treaty will be signed with Azerbaijan on Sunday? Unfortunately, I repeat, unfortunately, such a chance is very small, because the draft of the bilateral agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations is still very preliminary and it is too early to talk about signing it. On the other hand, we have a task to bring to maturity that document as quickly as possible and prepare it for signing," Pashinyan told a cabinet meeting.
His comments came after Azerbaijani forces shelled Armenian positions near the border village of Sotk in Gegharkunik Province early on Thursday, leaving four Armenian soldiers wounded.
"I must emphasize that with today's actions, Azerbaijan is questioning the fundamental agreements reached during this period, which were recorded on October 6, 2022 in Prague and on October 31 of the same year in Sochi. Those documents emphasize that Armenia and Azerbaijan recognize each other's territorial integrity based on the 1991 Declaration of Alma Ata. The question that arises in this context is as follows: if Azerbaijan recognizes the territorial integrity of Armenia, why is it shooting at the sovereign territory of our country? Especially given that according to the Sochi tripartite statement of 2022, the parties must refrain from the use of force and the threat of force," the premier stressed.
"Azerbaijan today again grossly violated these written public agreements, and in general, it is difficult to remember a jointly accepted document that Azerbaijan has not violated during this time," he added.
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