Pashinyan says Armenia’s territorial integrity tied to recognising neighbours’ borders

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia’s territorial integrity cannot be separated from that of its neighbours, responding to accusations over the 2020 war made by former presidents Kocharyan and Sargsyan.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has pushed back against accusations that his leadership provoked the 2020 war with Azerbaijan. The claims were made by former presidents Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan at a university event, criticising his handling of negotiations.

During a Q&A in parliament, Pashinyan rejected their statements, saying their approach showed “disrespect” and reiterating his decision to formally recognise the territorial integrity of Armenia by acknowledging the borders of neighbouring states.

He argued that his predecessors had long adopted positions that escalated tensions, referencing the 2016 Four-Day War, the stalled Madrid Principles, and the proposed “Meghri for Karabakh” exchange. He also pointed to a 2018 speech in which Sargsyan warned that Armenia should prepare for military conflict.

Pashinyan’s comments mark another chapter in Armenia’s internal debate over the war, as the government shifts towards formalising peace with Azerbaijan while distancing itself from the legacy of past leadership.

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