Nikol Pashinyan: Armenia has not discussed, and will not discuss  issues in line with the "corridor" logic 

ArmInfo.Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called Azerbaijan's actions in the border territories with Armenia destructive, speaking in the government today before a meeting on medium-term fiscal issues. According to him, Baku is taking steps  aimed at exacerbating tensions in the region and by these actions it  is trying to interrupt the further implementation of the Trilateral  Statement of November 9, 2020 and the statement of January 11, 2021.

According to the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Prime  Minister noted that the Ministry of Defense provides the public with  information on the situation on a daily basis. It is stable but  tense. On the other hand, it is not acceptable for the Armenian side.  "Since our position is clear and the units of the armed forces of  Azerbaijan must leave the sovereign territory of the Republic of  Armenia. Of course, our Armed Forces are carrying out tactical  actions, but our position is that this situation must be resolved  through diplomatic, peaceful means. This is our main approach and our  goal>,  Pashinyan noted.

He again reminded, that the country's leadership had applied to  perform certain functions within the framework of the procedures of  the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). In particular, he  informed about the current situation regarding the crisis response by  the CSTO and that Armenia will act in accordance with this provision.  "In general, we continue consultations within the framework of the  CSTO.  The process may not go as fast as it should, but there are  collective security mechanisms, and we continue to work hard to put  them into action, "the prime minister stressed.

At the same time, Pashinyan noted that Armenia will continue its  diplomatic efforts to provide the international community with full  information about the situation in order to increase international  pressure on Azerbaijan. "Naturally, we will continue to work with our  strategic partner - the Russian Federation.  You are aware that I  have turned to the President of Russia with a request for support and  that consultations in this direction will be continued, "he stressed.

The prime minister also touched upon the issue of opening regional  communications, which was mentioned in the Trilateral Statement. In  his words, the Republic of Armenia is not only interested in opening  regional communications, but also considers it one of the important  economic priorities for itself. "But I want to emphasize once again  that Armenia has never discussed and will not discuss issues in line  with the "corridor" logic. It is only about opening communications in  the region, "Pashinyan stressed. In this context, he noted that "in  general, we got the impression that the trilateral commission headed  by the deputy prime ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan had  done quite effective and constructive work, and it remains to think  about the implementation of the results of this work. And it is  strange that this provocation took place at this stage>.

In his opinion, it is necessary in this regard to distinguish  between, so to speak, "wet and dry". "The opening of communications  in the region is not only acceptable for the Republic of Armenia, but  also a priority for us. Because according to the agreements we have,  Armenia receives a railway connection with the Islamic Republic of  Iran and the Russian Federation. Of course, Azerbaijan also has a  railway connection with Nakhichevan. Of course, we are talking about  cargo transportation. Later, if the general situation is resolved, it  will be possible to discuss the issue of direct transportation in  these directions, "the prime minister said. He recalled in this  context that Armenia signed a statement on January 11, because this  statement meets its interests. "We will work hard to open  communications in the region and open roads - yes, it is possible for  us."

Pashinyan stressed that he was talking about this because he felt  that public discourse was trying to identify the issue of opening  communication with conversations about some "corridors". "The  Republic of Armenia has not discussed, is not discussing, and will  not discuss the issue in line with the" corridor "logic," he said.

As for the border situation, the prime minister reiterated that the  position of the Armenian side is unambiguous: the Azerbaijani armed  forces must withdraw from the sovereign territory of Armenia. "I want  to emphasize that here, in this case, talks about demarcation and  delimitation are inappropriate." Armenia continues its diplomatic  efforts to resolve the issue, which, of course, does not mean that  the country's Armed Forces are inactive, they, in turn, are carrying  out tactical actions. "But our priority is to prevent the situation  from getting out of control," Pashinyan summed up.

To recall, on May 12, the Azerbaijani armed forces illegally entered   the territory of Armenia up to 3.5 kilometers in order to establish  control over Sev Lich(Black Lake). On May 13, Yerevan officially  turned to the CSTO for help in this regard. And on May 14, acting  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan turned personally to Russian President  Vladimir Putin for help. According to the latest data, as a result of  negotiations, the saboteurs retreated 2 kilometers, however, their  part continues to remain on the territory of Armenia.

Today - in the morning of May 19, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia  issued a statement in which it expressed hope for a favorable  conclusion of the negotiations and a peaceful settlement of the  situation around Sev Lich. At the same time, the Ministry of Defense  stressed that in the absence of a solution to the problem within a  reasonable time frame, the Armenian Armed Forces reserve the right to  resolve the problem in other ways, including through the use of  force.