Yerevan is constructive towards OSCE MG dissolution, but wants to make sure Baku has no territorial claims - Pashinyan

YEREVAN, 19 December. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan answered a question about the country's position on the idea of dissolving the OSCE Minsk Group, the only internationally-mandated format that was set up to help resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 

Pashinyan said Armenia's stance on this idea is constructive. 'We understand the stance that if there is no conflict what's the meaning of the existence of a format dealing with the conflict resolution. But we also want to be convinced that Azerbaijan is approaching this issue in this same logic, and for instance, that its motive under developing the narrative of the so-called Western Azerbaijan isn't about engaging in aggressive policy against the territory of the Republic of Armenia,' Pashinyan said in an interview with Armenpress news agency. 

He also commented on the right of return of Azerbaijani refugees to so-called western Azerbaijan, which according to Azerbaijan is part of sovereign Armenia, promoted by Azerbaijan. 

"It is obvious that official Baku, with its narrative of the so-called Western Azerbaijan, wants to materialize its territorial demands against the Republic of Armenia, which is recorded in Azerbaijan’s constitution. If that’s not the case, and if we are wrong in our perceptions, then by saying Western Azerbaijan one must understand the regions of Gazakh, Tovuz, Aghstafa, Gadabay, Dashkesan, Kelbajar, Lachin, Kubatlu and Zangelan of the Republic of Azerbaijan,' Pashinyan said.

Therefore, according to him, the return of the people there is the internal matter of Azerbaijan, and the government of Armenia has nothing to do or discuss here, besides the matters that it is already discussing with Azerbaijan.

'I mean the establishment of normal relations that would ensure, among others, the security of Azerbaijan’s western and Armenia’s eastern borders,' Pashinyan said.