The Armenian parliament’s ruling Civil Contract faction has announced that it will not back an opposition statement condemning "Shusha Declaration" signed by the leaders of Turkey and Azerbaijan on June 15, 2021.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, in Shushi, signed the document cementing cooperation between Ankara and Baku in the defense, military and economic spheres. The document also mentions the so-called Zangezu Corridor.

Civil Contract MP Gurgen Arsenyan said there was no need for a new statement by the parliament on the Shusha Declaration since the Armenian Foreign Ministry has already issued a statement condemning it.

The ministry, on the day that Erdoğan and Aliyev met in Shushi, wrote:

“We strongly condemn the joint visit of the Presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan on June 15 to the Armenian historic and cultural center of Artsakh - Shushi, which is currently under the Azerbaijani occupation, as an outright provocation against regional peace and security.”

Arsenyan said the opposition’s statement is basically the same as that issued by the ministry and is not needed.

"The reasoning that the parliament must respond is not logical. The foreign ministry and the parliament must pursue a joint policy. Armenian political authorities have made a long-term commitment to achieving peace in the region, and in order not to abort that process, the foreign ministry pursues a corresponding foreign policy," Arsenyan said.

He said that the government is pursuing a peace agenda and that there are tactical nuances to be considered.

Opposition MPs argued that the Turkish and Azerbaijani parliaments have ratified the Shusha Declaration and that the Armenian National Assembly must respond in kind.

The MPs described the declaration as provocative and destructive in nature and a plan to eliminate Armenia and Artsakh.