Pashinyan declares peace, not war, as Armenia continues provocations on border with Azerbaijan

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has reiterated his commitment to peace with Azerbaijan, declaring in parliament that “there will be no war — there will be peace.” 

He emphasized that there are no grounds for a new escalation, citing mutual agreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan to recognize each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, to respect the inviolability of borders, and to renounce the use of force.

“There will be no war — there will be peace. There are no grounds for escalation — Armenia and Azerbaijan have recognized each other’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and the inviolability of borders, as well as the renunciation of the use of force,” Pashinyan said, according to reports from Armenian media relayed by Caliber.Az.

In his address to parliament, Pashinyan also urged political and civic actors in both countries to refrain from rhetoric that could endanger the ongoing peace efforts.

“I urge all political and public forces in Armenia and Azerbaijan to show the utmost responsibility and not to make statements that undermine the peace agenda. The peoples of our countries deserve peace. There will be no war — there will be peace,” the Armenian premier stressed.

His remarks come against the backdrop of ongoing provocations by Armenian armed forces along the de facto border with Azerbaijan. Almost daily, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense reports that units of the Armenian military are firing on Azerbaijani army positions, despite the peace-oriented rhetoric from Yerevan.

By Tamilla Hasanova