Armenia should stay committed to peace dialogue: MP

PanARMENIAN.Net - Alkhas Ghazaryan, a member of the National Assembly’s Civil Contract faction, commenting on the conference titled “Return to Western Azerbaijan” and statements made there, said Armenia should continue to be guided by its peace agenda.

Responding to a journalist’s observation that Azerbaijani officials, including government members, continue to speak about the strategic importance of the so-called “Western Azerbaijan” program, Ghazaryan said the authorities remain focused on their own political agenda, reports Factor.am .

“We have said that we are following the path of advancing the peace agenda, and we will continue on that path. Such rhetoric is unacceptable from either side,” he stated.

Ghazaryan also addressed opposition claims made during the election campaign that hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis could arrive in Armenia if Civil Contract won the elections.

“As you have seen, several days have passed since the elections and those claims have not materialized. It was obvious from the beginning that this was a false narrative. The people made their choice and showed what expectations they have of the authorities,” the lawmaker said.

Asked whether he sees dangerous trends in statements made by Azerbaijani ministers, Ghazaryan replied that such comments should not divert attention from the peace process.

“We should pay greater attention to what we ourselves are saying and the path we are taking. We remain committed to the agenda of establishing peace and will continue moving in that direction,” he noted.

The Civil Contract lawmaker also stressed that the peace process has not been easy and that obstacles may emerge in the future as well.

“The path that brought us to the initialing of a peace agreement has not been easy. There will be obstacles in the next stages too, but I believe they will gradually be overcome and we will move forward,” Ghazaryan said.

Addressing contacts with Azerbaijan, he emphasized that the authorities support dialogue and intend to continue along the course already chosen.

“There is dialogue, there is agreement, there is a chosen path, and we are moving in that direction without deviation,” Ghazaryan concluded.

On June 18, Aziz Alekberli, chairman of the board of the “Western Azerbaijan Community,” told journalists during the third conference-festival titled “Return to Western Azerbaijan” in Ordubad that “Armenia must create conditions for the safe return of Western Azerbaijanis.”