Nagorno-Karabakh: Why Armenia is the ” Big Loser ” of the War – Interviews

After six weeks of fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and several failed ceasefires, Russia has reached an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan that will likely be honored this time.

Under the new agreement, Azerbaijan will retain Artsakh’s occupied territories during the conflict, while Armenia was forced to withdraw from several other neighboring regions in the coming weeks.

In addition, the agreement provides for the deployment of some 2,000 Russians as a peacekeeping force on the conflict line as the Armenian forces withdraw. However, according to the President of Azerbaijan, the Turks will join the peacekeeping force for a joint mission.

Armenia appears to be the loser of the deal, as the country is forced to cede several territories to the enclave, maintaining a communication corridor with Karabakh. The same will apply to the Azeris, who will communicate with their own enclave within Armenia, Nakhichevan.

Shortly after the announcement, angry protesters in Yerevan stormed the Armenian parliament to protest a ceasefire agreement that supposedly ratifies the military dominance of the Azeri forces.

Following the latest developments, it is reasonable to ask a few key questions. Why is Armenia considered the big loser in the ceasefire agreement? After all, what role did Turkey and Russia play in the region? Is Armenia “paying” for its geographical location?

For all the above questions, give answers to News24 / 7 the Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of Greece, Hripsime Haroutounian.

Armenia and Azerbaijan ended the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Why is the agreement between the two states considered painful for Armenians?

Barely five 24 hours have passed since the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a capitulation signed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, after an unequal 45-day war. This dramatic 45-day war was marked by heavy artillery fire from Azerbaijan, the use of prohibited weapons, and air strikes and drones, which systematically targeted the Armenian civilian population and the country’s infrastructure, causing hundreds of casualties. Our army heroically defended Stepanakert, Sushi, Hadrut, Martuni and all areas of Artsakh, even in very critical moments.

The UN, the EU and the international community did not support Armenia

All our appeals to the international community, the UN, the European Union have been cynically rejected. All of our warnings about Turkey’s involvement, the role of mercenary jihadists, the widespread use of prohibited weapons, were not heeded. It is a massive humanitarian catastrophe in many ways, compounded by the terms of the agreement, because its terms endanger and violate the absolute right of the Armenian people to live safely and independently in a democratic and developing country.

Will Azerbaijan occupy important Artsakh territories, to which it will rush to transport settlers, while Armenian citizens will be forced to live with the perpetrators of the genocide of their people?

Will the Armenian culture that flourished 3,000 years ago in the region be handed over to those who destroy and loot what is not theirs?

Crowds of protesters stormed the Armenian parliament in Yerevan after the signing of an agreement to end hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. Does it justify people’s reaction?

The signing of the agreement was announced by the Prime Minister of the country, without the knowledge of the President of the Republic, the Parliament and the people, while the army continued fighting heroically and striking the enemy. The frustration of the people is great. The Prime Minister himself speaks of a painful agreement. There is a strong wave of popular protest and anger. Rallies are held in Yerevan every day, demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister.

The agreement created a major humanitarian crisis

The agreement endangers the future of the population of Artsakh and Armenia. Refugees have settled in makeshift camps in Yerevan, Koris and other cities in Armenia, and have been forced to flee their country, creating a major humanitarian crisis, with an uncertain future. Almost all families have lost children, youth, relatives, friends. Many of them will lose their homes in specific areas of their homeland. What does the future hold for Azerbaijan? The events with the pogroms against the Armenians in Baku, Sumgait, Maraga and elsewhere do not bode well.

Russia brought the two countries to the negotiating table, prompting Armenia to sign a humiliating treaty. In the end, did Putin remain an ally or an enemy?

The OSCE Minsk Group is responsible for resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. But we saw that the two co-chair countries of the Minsk Group (America and France) were left out of the agreement that was signed, with only Russia as mediator.

There is great concern about the presence of the Russian peacekeeping mission and what the President of Azerbaijan suggests, which will include the participation of Turkish forces. Something that is unacceptable.

What is important and expected is that France and the United States. (the two countries co-chairs of the Minsk Group) are obliged to comment on the agreement and request its “re-registration”. This is not an international treaty and the fundamental principle of the Artsakh people’s right to self-determination has been completely ignored. For the agreement to be ratified, it must be approved by the parliaments of the countries.

Many believe that the big winner remains Turkey, which is now taking over the Caucasus and strengthening its relationship with the Azeris. Do you agree with this point of view?

Turkey’s participation in the war was evident from the beginning of the war and its role was motivating. Turkey has made no secret of its desire to control the territories of the former Soviet Union. Her burning desire to create a pan-Turanian arch in the South Caucasus and beyond drives her to her extreme aspirations. This explains the duration of the agreement, which refers to the connection of Nakhichevan with Azerbaijan, which passes through the territory of Armenia. A point of course that cannot be foreseen by means of a bilateral agreement, because it is in terms of international agreements.

What are the chances of a new geopolitical outbreak in the Caucasus? Is Armenia “paying” for its geographical location?

Certainly, the geographical location of Armenia has significantly influenced its history. As a hub between two continents, Europe and Asia, on the one hand it has benefited from trade and the circulation of ideas, it has developed a remarkable ancestral culture and, on the other, it has suffered constant conflicts, both old and new. years. Turkey played a devastating and destabilizing role in the Artsakh war, using NATO weapons systems. Turkey does not want any peaceful solution, which can only concern all the neighboring peoples.

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