Pashinyan  at PACE: The return of Artsakh residents is unrealistic  and pose a danger to the peace process

ArmInfo.The issue of the return of refugees is dangerous for the peace process, as stated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the Parliamentary Assembly of  the Council of Europe on September 30.

"Our understanding is this: with the assistance of the international  community, refugees from Karabakh should settle in Armenia. We have  already launched a housing program for them. Although it had a  difficult start,  I am confident it will be more effective. We see  the future for our compatriots from Karabakh in the Republic of  Armenia, with Armenian citizenship," he emphasized, in response to a  question from a parliamentarian.

Pashinyan emphasized that he had already spoken about the refugee  return being unrealistic in his address on August 18. "I will be  honest: I do not believe the return of refugees is possible. I  believe it is important to be upfront  about this so that people  can  see the prospects and make plans. In general, discussing this topic  in the current context can be detrimental to the peace process," the  Prime Minister noted.

Pashinyan believes that it is precisely the contradictions  surrounding such issues that have led to  prolonged conflicts.  "Conflicts, including the Karabakh conflict, appear to have begun  with simple humanitarian issues and escalated into large-scale  confrontations," the Prime Minister noted.  Pashinyan emphasized that  Armenia and Azerbaijan have already recognized each other's  territorial integrity and the inviolability of their borders, based  on the Alma-Ata Declaration.  "In the coming decades, Armenia and  Azerbaijan should, to put it frankly, and perhaps not too  diplomatically, simply leave each other alone and focus on economic  cooperation and the gradual establishment of dialogue." Our  compatriots from Karabakh must settle in the Republic of Armenia and,  as citizens of the Republic of Armenia, live, create, and build their  well-being in Armenia. This is our strategy," the head of the RA  Cabinet emphasized