Tatoyan: Peace deal impossible without end to Azerbaijani occupation

ArmInfo. Arman Tatoyan, leader of the "Wings of Unity" political initiative and former Armenian Ombudsman,  has called on  American and European mediators to take a firmer stance regarding the presence of Azerbaijani armed forces on Armenian territory. In a video address on his Facebook page  discussing  his recent article published in the Washington Times, he  argued that any future peace agreement is fundamentally incompatible  with the continued occupation of Armenia's sovereign territory.

According to Tatoyan, the United States can play an important role in  establishing peace. "The United States has leverage in this process,  but we must remember that unused opportunities are quickly  exhausted," the initiative's leader believes. He mentioned that since  2021, Azerbaijan has occupied more than 200 square kilometers of  internationally recognized sovereign territory of Armenia in the  regions of Syunik, Vayots Dzor, and Gegharkunik. "Despite numerous  negotiations with the Azerbaijani side, the current leadership has  failed to withdraw Azerbaijan's 'occupation units' from Armenia's  sovereign territory, thereby preserving the military reality created  by force. Moreover, it seems that this issue remains secondary in the  diplomatic sphere," the politician noted.

Tatoyan expressed his conviction that this position sets a dangerous  precedent and sends a message to both the Azerbaijani leadership and  other global players that presence on occupied territories can be  legitimized and responsibility can be avoided. "Transport routes,  regional integration, and trust-building agreements cannot be  realized under the continued occupation of sovereign territories.  After the August 8 meeting in the United States, Azerbaijani  President Ilham Aliyev publicly described the Armenian people as  'unhealthy' and continues to promote the narrative that all of  Armenia is ancient Azerbaijani land. Such language is incompatible  with reconciliation, as it implies hierarchy rather than  coexistence," Tatoyan asserted.

He expressed confidence that peace can only be established if  negotiations are based on a simple principle:  borders cannot be  changed by force, and the occupation of territories cannot be  postponed or forgotten over time.