Oskanian: Only by removing Pashinyan from power can the creeping loss  of Armenian territories be stopped

ArmInfo.  The creeping process of losing Armenian territories can only be halted with the departure of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vartan Oskanian stated this in a video on his Facebook page, reacting to the Armenian prime minister's  statement during the election campaign ahead of the June  parliamentary elections in Armenia. 

Specifically, when asked by a citizen to clarify which territories  Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan was referring to when stating that  "Armenia has enclaves that must be handed over to Azerbaijan,"  Pashinyan assured that "this does not concern the sovereign  territories of Armenia."

"Every Armenian, including those living in the diaspora, must pay  special attention to the so-called 'Western Azerbaijan' program being  promoted. This is a serious program, which Azerbaijan will implement  decisively. Its implementation under the current Armenian government  is becoming increasingly feasible day by day, given that today,  Pashinyan is 'slicing Armenia into pieces like sausage and handing  them over to Azerbaijan,'" Oskanian stated in this regard.

He pointed out that Azerbaijani troops have already invaded Armenian  territory and have no intention of leaving the occupied lands. As  Oskanian mentioned, they currently occupy high-ground positions in  Jermuk, Syunik, and Tavush. "Pashinyan has even surrendered our  control over the Meghri road to a third party. We have suffered  losses there as well," the former minister added.

Oskanian also recalled Pashinyan's recent statements in Syunik, where  he tried to convince residents that "the Syunik region is safe and  there is no threat." According to the former Armenian Foreign  Minister, with such a statement, the Armenian prime minister  essentially confirms that his failure on this issue as well, having  turned the territory of Syunik into a matter of dispute. "With such  statements, he gives reason to believe that this issue did not arise  by accident. After all, why would it even come up, especially from  the leader of the country? This means he knows very well that he will  be confronted with it during negotiations," Oskanian stated.

It is for this very reason, the diplomat believes, that Pashinyan is  currently manipulating the issue of the return of Artsvashen, thereby  only reaffirming his intention to surrender new territories.  Meanwhile, as Oskanian noted, if non-existent enclaves are handed  over to Azerbaijan, Baku will gain control over the strategic  highways leading to Iran and Georgia.

"As a result, Armenia will lose its geopolitical position. This  process must be stopped immediately. This can only be done by  rejecting Pashinyan, since these issues arose as a result of his  agreements. Let them show where it is written  that we must hand over  any enclaves. No such formal agreements exist. This is simply a  promise made by Pashinyan," Oskanian noted.

The former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia believes that  Azerbaijan would not have dared to raise the issue of enclaves had  the Armenian authorities known what diplomatic countermeasures to  employ.  "Because if the issue of enclaves exists based on certain  Soviet maps, it means that the issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh  Autonomous Oblast also exists on those very same maps. By raising  this counterargument, we would have forced Azerbaijan to back down.  This is the most elementary diplomatic move that could have been  made. But Pashinyan does not understand, cannot, does not know how,  or is simply afraid. The opposition is capable of handling these  issues far better," Oskanian asserted.  In light of this, he urged  Armenian citizens to prioritize these existential issues over  socio-economic concerns, reminding them that the latter were also  exacerbated by Pashinyan.

"The opposition, with its programs, will be able to resolve them.  There will be no war if Armenia does not make unilateral concessions.  If Pashinyan is gone, his promises go with him. After all, these are  all matters concerning the sovereign territories of Armenia. This is  the final line that we cannot cross. We will lose our homeland if  this process is not halted today, tomorrow, or by June 8. And to stop  it, I repeat, is only possible by rejecting Pashinyan. With his  departure, the creeping loss of Armenian territories will be brought  to an end," Oskanian concluded.

Recall, during a press conference on May 22, 2023, the Armenian Prime  Minister first spoke about the potential transfer of the so-called  "enclaves" in the Tavush and Ararat regions to Azerbaijan. If  implemented, these measures by the Armenian Premier would cut Armenia  off from strategic transport corridors links to Iran and Georgia.