Armenia faces internal strife over potential return of Azerbaijani villages Details of the closed meeting

In a closed-door meeting, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's revelation of a potential return of four Azerbaijani villages back to the owner stirs division within his government, fueling intense debates over national sovereignty and security concerns.

"On Friday evening, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan convened another closed meeting with parliamentarians from the Civil Contract faction at the parliament, joined by almost all members of the government, including Lt-Gen Edward Asryan, Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces," reports Caliber.Az, citing the Armenian newspaper Hraparak.

"The meeting, which lasted about two hours, unfolded in a tense atmosphere. Some ruling party parliamentarians voiced disagreement with Pashinyan’s policies, urging clarity on Armenia’s 'red lines' and his stance on Azerbaijani demands," the report continues.

"The main agenda item was the 'Vision for the Development of Armenia,' but discussions quickly veered towards the issue of four settlements in Tavush (Tovuzgala)," the report elaborates.

"Prime Minister Pashinyan openly admitted to considering unilateral concessions soon. He hinted at the possible withdrawal of the third army corps from these territories in the coming days, suggesting that four settlements, which he believes to be Azerbaijani, could be returned to Azerbaijan. This, he argued, would prevent potential military conflict, though some parliamentarians preferred territorial integrity over concessions."

"Some parliamentarians contended that losing territories in battle might be preferable rather than signing an agreement that the public would not forgive. Pashinyan, however, expressed reluctance towards such a scenario, warning of the possibility that Azerbaijan might not stop at the territories it claims, but could extend its ambitions further into Lori and even Yerevan," the report continues.

"Defense Minister Suren Papikyan refrained from expressing his opinion on the Tavush issue, sparking concerns among some parliamentarians about the potential repercussions of the concession, including the direct control of Tavush by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces," the paper concludes.