Armenian PM says peace has been achieved between Baku, Yerevan

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said peace has been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, speaking at the 7th congress of the ruling Civil Contract party on September 20.

He noted that the congress was being held in completely different circumstances, stressing that Armenia had entered a new phase in its history following the August 8 Washington declaration, signed with the participation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and US President Donald Trump, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media. 

Pashinyan described the declaration as the culmination of a long process that had already ensured stability along the border.

The prime minister underlined that no Armenian serviceman had been killed or injured in border shootings with Azerbaijan for the past one year and seven months.

“For 1 year and 7 months, no soldier has been killed or injured in the Armenia-Azerbaijan border shooting. Since independence, we have not had such a 1 year and 7 months when no soldier has been killed or injured in the border shooting. This is peace," Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan expressed hope that the current situation would extend further, adding that he wanted the period of peace to last not just two or three years, but to continue for generations and apply to all of Armenia’s borders.

He recalled that prior to the 6th congress of the party, he had argued that if the government could preserve the state for two to three years, it would secure its future for centuries. Three years later, he said, Armenia had managed to maintain stability, reach the initialing of a peace and interstate relations agreement with Azerbaijan, and ensure the absence of casualties on the border for 19 consecutive months.

The prime minister congratulated the Armenian people on this achievement, calling it a historic step for the country.

By Sabina Mammadli