Wednesday, November 22 2023 18:47

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.