Bill on occupied territories of Artsakh Moscow`s political message to  Azerbaijani president - Andrias Ghuksyan

ArmInfo. The bill on occupied territories of Artsakh introduced before the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh is a political act reflecting changed positions  in Stepanakert, Andrias Ghuksyan, Chairman of the Constructive Party,  told ArmInfo.  

According to February 1 reports, the bill on occupied territories of  Artsakh was circulated in the Artsakh Parliament on January 27. The  bill was drafted by all the five parliamentary factions and is  expected to be approved at all stages. On February 16, the Artsakh  Parliament is to discuss the first reading. According to the key  points of the bill, Artsakh has the immutable right to its  territories under its Constitution. Moreover, foreign companies will  need the Artsakh government's permission for activities in the  occupied territories of Artsakh.  

"I am saying this in the context of entirely different claims that  have been made in Artsakh since November 9, 2020, and have reflected  the logic of an identical process. In fact, the people who stated  their commitment to the November 9 statement are now making  revanchist statements. Such statements are not normally made all of a  sudden. In this context, we cannot rule out the initiative is  'rooted' in Russia - similarly to Moscow's original response to  [President of Azerbaijan Ilham] Aliyev's recent trip to Ukraine.  And  the most important is, in this respect, his willingness to increase  gas supplies to Europe, which is in a most delicate situation now,"  Me Ghukasyan said.  

According to him, the bill is a political manifestation of Russia's  geopolitical influence. In other words, it is Moscow's message to  Azerbaijan - the risk of Artsakh Armenians laying claims to all that  Azerbaijan acquired with Russia's consent, with Moscow on the  Armenian side now. 

The bill contains a demand for de-occupation of the Artsakh  territories and restoration of the borders of 1994. Since it is in  full conformity with the French Senate's resolution, France and, may  be, the USA could support the Artsakh Armenians - at least with  regard to the territories of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous  Region, Shahumyan and territories surrounding the Lachin corridor.