Armenian revanchism and church against peace with Azerbaijan
Article by Geopolitical Monitor

POLITICS  02 July 2024 - 14:54

Geopolitical Monitor has published an article by Taras Kuzio highlighting Armenian revanchism and church against peace with Azerbaijan. Caliber.Az reprints excerpts from the article.

Of the fifteen republics in the USSR, only Armenia pursued revanchist territorial claims based on nationalistic myths of a historical state that was larger than the Soviet republic.

Armenian imperial nationalists sought to restore a "Greater Armenia" beyond its Soviet borders, a vision supported by the Armenian Apostolic Church and influential figures within the Armenian diaspora.

Armenian imperial nationalism led to the First Karabakh War (1988-1994), which resulted in the occupation of a significant portion of Azerbaijan’s territory, including Karabakh. This area saw the establishment of a separatist military force with Armenian backing.

In contrast, Armenia's 2018 revolution brought democratic forces to power under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Pashinyan advocates for a "real Armenia" defined as the Armenia that existed within the Soviet borders and seeks to reject the notion of "Greater Armenia." He argues that a peaceful Armenia integrated into Europe can only be achieved by rejecting historical claims to expanded territories.

The Armenian Apostolic Church, a strong supporter of "Greater Armenia," has opposed Pashinyan's efforts for peace with Azerbaijan and the recognition of Soviet-era borders as international boundaries. Despite constitutional mandates for separation of church and state, the Church has publicly called for Pashinyan’s resignation and resisted efforts to demarcate borders with Azerbaijan.

Opposition forces in Armenia, including discredited figures from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA), have attempted to undermine Pashinyan’s government through protests and no-confidence votes. However, these efforts have been largely unsuccessful, with the public increasingly supporting Pashinyan’s policies and a historic peace treaty with Azerbaijan.

While anti-Pashinyan protests have dwindled and failed to gain substantial traction, there is a growing consensus among the Armenian silent majority for a peaceful resolution with Azerbaijan. This shift in public sentiment aligns with the upcoming COP29 summit in Baku, which could serve as a backdrop for finalizing peace agreements.

In summary, while the Armenian Apostolic Church and certain opposition groups remain entrenched in imperial nationalist agendas, there is a significant movement within Armenia towards accepting the "real Armenia" and seeking a peaceful future within its Soviet-era borders.

Caliber.Az