RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated that in order to avoid a new war, Armenia should abandon the path of endless mutual accusations of war crimes with Azerbaijan. Ahead of the upcoming elections, the government intends to form a new political discourse, which will be aimed at getting the state out of the decades-long chain of enmity.
In a briefing with journalists after the government session Nikol Pashinyan commented on the issue of holding the Azerbaijani side accountable for the crimes committed in the sovereign territory of Armenia. The head of the executive acknowledged the indisputability of the facts of shooting and brutal torture of prisoners of war, but emphasized that focusing exclusively on mutual accusations leads the situation to a dead end. According to him, continuing this conversation means standing on a path where a new armed conflict becomes inevitable.
The politician called on the public to look at the history of the conflict comprehensively, comparing the process to the need to read the whole page of the book, and not just the appropriate part of it. In response to the journalists’ observation that the brutality of the sides during the military operations was incomparable, the Prime Minister noted that accusations are being made by both sides, and for the sake of the welfare of future generations, the state must break this vicious circle. He also warned the citizens not to give in to the patriotic speeches and emotional reactions of some international actors.
The formation of a new narrative aimed at the final resolution of the conflict will be the main strategic task of the authorities during the month and a half remaining before the elections. It should be recalled that during the large-scale escalation on September 13, 2022, when Azerbaijani forces attacked the border regions of Armenia, more than 200 people, including civilians, were killed.
Some territories came under the control of Baku, and international organizations recorded shocking facts of brutal treatment of Armenian prisoners, including female servicemen, sexual violence and murders.
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