Armenian prime minister's office denounces government in exile

The office of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan unequivocally declared the illegitimacy of any purported government in exile operating within the borders of Armenia.

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister, Taron Chakhoyan, took to Facebook to convey the government's stance, emphasizing that such entities represent a grave threat to the nation's security and sovereignty.

“In Armenia, there cannot be a state within a state, there is not and cannot be a government in exile," stated Chakhoyan on Facebook on March 28, Caliber.Az reports.

"Having devastated Karabakh, the same adventurers are trying to create a government in exile in Armenia, which poses a direct threat to national security," he added.

Chakhoyan further stressed the imperative of closing down all offices associated with any exiled government presence, citing concerns over the destabilization of Armenia's statehood.

“All offices representing the exiled government in Armenia must be closed, since by their very existence they pose a threat to the security and statehood of Armenia,” the official stated.

Earlier, Pashinyan stated that his government would not recognize any entity purporting to be a "Karabakh government in exile."

Addressing the issue at a government meeting, Pashinyan emphasized the importance of unity within Armenia and adherence to the established government structure. He dismissed any notion of recognizing alternative authorities, stating, "some groups from Nagorno-Karabakh, wittingly or unwittingly, are taking actions and steps that pose a threat to the national security of Armenia, declaring some governments in exile, etc."

Asserting the legitimacy of his government, Pashinyan made it clear that the recognized authority rests solely with the government of the Republic of Armenia. "Yes, there is a government in the Republic of Armenia, and this government sits in this hall," he affirmed.

Pashinyan's remarks were in response to statements made by representatives of what he referred to as the "residual element" of the illegal regime of Samvel Shahramanyan. The Prime Minister's comments were reported by the Armenian news outlet Hraparak.