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Former Armenian PM – “Once we give back lands in Karabakh, they’re gone forever”
Former RoA Prime Minister Hrant Bagratyan, a member of the opposition HAK, expressed serious doubts as to whether Azerbaijan could be trusted to carry out its obligations as set forth in any document signed to resolve the Karabakh conflict.Mr. Bagratyan expressed his views on the heels of President Serzh Sargsyan’s remarks in Syria regarding Armenia’s willingness to discuss territorial concessions in Karabakh after the NKR populace is guaranteed the right to exercise self-determination. Many pundits, both within the Armenian government and in the public arena, have been quick to interpret the president’s remarks, which probably constitute the first time the Armenian head of state has so clearly and publicly opened the door to giving lands back to Azerbaijan as part of a compromise deal.
"Such an agreement will turn into a regular sheet of paper two months after being signed and the land corridor between Armenia and Karabakh will be closed again. On the one hand, the international community is pressuring us to sign, while on the other it says, watch out, I have no guarantees to offer. I am interested in the guarantees," Mr. Bagratyan told Hetq.
Mr. Bagratyan described himself as a peaceful individual who supports the idea of negotiations.
"If we can ensure long-term peace with Azerbaijan by returning 2-3 districts, I say fine. If they agree, let’s do it. But I have a question to ask of President Sargsyan. If you’re returning lands; good. You are the president and we must follow your lead. But what are the guarantees that tomorrow the road won’t be closed?" asked he former prime minister.
The HAK official said that once we returned lands in Karabakh, we’d never get them back. If Azerbaijan, however, opens the road, it could close it at any minute.
The international community, Mr. Bagratyan argued, must declare that it is establishing a neutral corridor between Armenia and Karabakh for 100 years.
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