ArmInfo. Yerevan is expecting Azerbaijan to make bold steps toward regional peace, Armenian NA Speaker Alen Simonyan told reporters on November 22.
He noted that the Armenian side is more than constructive in such matters, and is ready to discuss all options related to the conclusion of a peace treaty, including the possibility of holding a meeting on the border, which Baku announced the day before. Simonyan did not rule out the possibility of meetings at regional venues. "We are discussing all options, including these," noted the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.
He added that the Azerbaijani authorities must decide on the issue of peace. "Everyone wants to know whether they want peace without having territorial claims against Armenia, or whether they are PR and an attempt to "show off" the international community. All statements by the Azerbaijani leadership must be proven by concrete actions," said the head of the country's legislative body, adding that these actions confirming the seriousness of Baku's intentions could include, for example, the release of Armenian prisoners and the official confirmation of the three agreed upon principles for signing a peace treaty. "Our foreign partners must understand that Azerbaijan's current strategy will have no prospects until concrete steps are taken," said the head of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.
At the same time, he pointed to Azerbaijan's purchases in huge volumes and billions of dollars of weapons and military equipment. Even in the current difficult situation in the Middle East, Baku continues to purchase Israeli weapons. "Why does Baku need such quantities of weapons if it strives for peace? They have everything in their arsenal except nuclear weapons. The international community should pay attention to this fact. Against the background of these purchases, Azerbaijan makes a fuss when Armenia acquires one or two combat vehicles, accusing Armenia of militarization," the speaker said.
Simonyan criticized Russia's position on the region. "Against the backdrop of Azerbaijan's aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh in 15 directions, Moscow appeals to the parties to cease fire, putting the aggressor and the victim on the same level. According to my data, even in the CSTO-proposed assistance there was no package of military assistance to Armenia," the NA Chairman emphasized, pointing to completely different, targeted statements and demands that were and are being made from other platforms, including from Western countries. "I personally remain positive on the issue of European integration. We are talking, in particular, about the application of such European values as democracy, human rights, freedom of speech. In many ways, thanks to these fundamental principles, the security system of Armenia has also improved," stated the head of the Armenian parliament.