Armenia frustrated by 'US understanding of Azerbaijan's security' Bono discourages Yerevan

The United States and the West in general have disappointed Armenia again. In Yerevan, where they are closely watching everything that is happening in Azerbaijan, and especially the visits of high-ranking representatives of American and European foreign policy, statements in support of Baku are perceived extremely badly.

Judging by the publications in the Armenian media, Yerevan is quite annoyed with the stance of the Americans on the issue of checkpoints on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The Armenian side was very unhappy with the statements of the US State Department's Senior Adviser for Caucasus Negotiations, Louis Bono, regarding the "security interests of Azerbaijan" in the context of the situation on the Lachin road, which he voiced in Baku.

It should be noted that on March 6, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received Louis Bono and they exchanged views on normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and on the negotiation process of the peace treaty.

It is well known that last month the Armenian leadership rejected Azerbaijan's proposal to establish a checkpoint on the border between the two states. Baku interpreted this as Armenia's desire to use the Lachin road for illegal purposes, which is absolutely justified, given that the establishment of a checkpoint on the conditional border can prevent the delivery of ammunition and weapons from Armenia to Karabakh. This does not suit the Armenian side at all.

The righteousness of Baku's position was demonstrated by the latest military provocation of the Armenian army on the Khankendi-Khalfali-Turshsu dirt road in the Karabakh economic region of Azerbaijan, which resulted in the death of the Azerbaijani servicemen. By the way, official Yerevan, while rejecting the Azerbaijani side's proposal to set up a checkpoint on the border, has never given a clear explanation of its decision.

But it is clear that this is Armenia's way of avoiding negotiations with Azerbaijan, in violation of its obligations under the Trilateral Statement of 10 November 2020. This was also clear from the way the Armenian side has been violating agreements regarding the use of the Lachin road for two whole years.

Bono's statement that "the US understands Azerbaijan's security interests" did not meet Armenia's cherished hopes makes sense.

"We recognise that there is a security issue, but we need to ensure that necessary goods and civilian cargo move around and are accessible to the people of Karabakh," said the chief adviser to the US State Department.

Apparently, the US is not against the checkpoint on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Moreover, the Americans have repeatedly stressed in earlier statements that the Lachin road should be open for "the transport of commercial and private goods". Exactly like that, and not for military cargoes, and bypassing unpaved roads. Moreover, it is surely understood in Washington that the clearance of commercial goods is also part of the process. If an Azerbaijani arriving from abroad must declare a smartphone purchased for more than $300, then so must a Karabakh Armenian arriving from Armenia. There can be no benefits in this case for Karabakh Armenians. Firstly, it is unconstitutional and secondly, it is illogical - the most disloyal ethnic minority should not also receive 'bonuses' for their illegal actions.

Another point is noteworthy in Aliyev-Bono talks: during the negotiations the senior adviser to the State Department made a special emphasis on the outcome of the Munich meeting of the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, noting that, in the opinion of the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, it was productive. The fact that Washington attaches great importance to the Armenian-Azerbaijani talks organised at the US initiative is quite reasonable. It should be taken into account that Baku's proposal to establish checkpoints on the border was discussed in Munich as a crucial condition for the opening communication links and removal of all obstacles to the implementation of the Zangazur corridor, which is clearly contrary to the interests of Yerevan. Bono's very reminder of the Munich talks is an opaque hint at the legitimacy of Baku's position on this crucially important issue for Azerbaijan, as confirmed by his statement that "the US understands Azerbaijan's security".

The recent statements by Toivo Klaar, European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus, also suggest that the outcome of the Munich meeting has real prospects for the normalisation of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.

"We hope for substantive meetings with the Azerbaijani leadership to advance the peace process after the meetings in Munich," the diplomat wrote on Twitter.

But while Washington, in the wake of Armenia's latest military provocations in Karabakh, is urging the sides to negotiate, Yerevan is not abandoning its attempts to shift the blame. US State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a briefing that there can be no military solution to the conflict and the use of force to resolve disputes is unacceptable and the only way to peace is at the negotiating table. But Armenia, hypocritically accepting such statements (which in fact run counter to the policy of official Yerevan), prefers to ignore them, while also traditionally resorting to the support of bought congressmen, in particular Adam Schiff, known for his pro-Armenian views, ranting this time "about the need for sanctions against Azerbaijan" and advocating "for the rights of the Karabakh people to self-determination".

Meanwhile, there is irrefutable video evidence confirming the illegal presence of Armenian fighters in Karabakh, who continue to carry out military provocations in the region.

Therefore, Baku warns that the transportation of military cargoes to the territory of Azerbaijan by Armenia, sending and rotation of military personnel of the Armenian armed forces in Karabakh must be stopped immediately and once and for all, and Armenian military forces must be completely withdrawn from our country. Otherwise, the Azerbaijani side will be forced to take appropriate measures to disarm and neutralize the illegal armed formations using the means at its disposal.

This means that Baku considers it necessary to ensure control over the Lachin road and will continue to advance its legitimate demands, guided by national interests and international law. And the fact that our Western partners "understand the security interests of Azerbaijan" is a serious justification for Baku's position and, at the same time, for the illegality of Yerevan's demands and actions.