Pashinyan says OSCE Minsk Group dissolution on agenda

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that dissolving the OSCE Minsk Group is a subject up for discussion and that Armenia will take the initiative to put it on the agenda.

In an interview with Public Television, Pashinyan emphasized that certain issues are open to discussion, while others are not. "The dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group is clearly a discussable and agenda-driven issue. Why? Because we are pursuing peace, and in doing so, this format loses its relevance. Still, we must be flexible so that the means do not overshadow the goal," he said, according to Azatutyun.

When asked whether Armenia agrees to dissolve the group before signing a peace treaty, Pashinyan responded, "Again, our goal is not a deadline but the substance. When the substance is addressed or if a reliable and trustworthy mechanism for addressing it is found, we are, of course, ready to consider solutions."

Regarding potential escalation in the region, Pashinyan said that such a risk does not currently exist. "There is no basis or justification for escalation now, especially since Armenia and Azerbaijan have recognized each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," he noted.

Commenting on the European Union’s observer mission, Pashinyan stated: "Once the peace agreement is signed, we will have institutional peace and stability. In that case, we may no longer need to inconvenience our respected EU observers—or at least, not as much."

He added that if the agreement ensures a reliable and stable security mechanism for Armenia, the presence of external observers will no longer be necessary.

"In essence, our goal is to have peace and stability along our borders," the Prime Minister concluded.

Earlier, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had said that Armenia must meet two more conditions before signing the peace treaty: amending its Constitution and agreeing to the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group.