““Azerbaijan is perceived in the same way here.” Pashinyan responded to Aliyev’s words about “fascist” Armenia January 8, 16:30 Share: Nikol Pashinyan (Photo: REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq) Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan considers Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev’s statements about “fascism” to be an attempt to escalate bilateral relations . In an interview with Armenia News, he suggested that the Azerbaijani authorities are trying to “legitimize” the escalation in the region with such statements. “Aggressive statements are made based on”, — write on: ua.news
Nikol Pashinyan (Photo: REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq)
The Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan considers the statements of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev about “fascism” as an attempt to escalate bilateral relations.
In an interview with Armenia News, he suggested that the Azerbaijani authorities are trying to make such statements “legitimize” escalation in the region
“Aggressive statements are made with the expectation that an aggressive reaction will be heard from Yerevan, which will allow Baku to make its own statements more aggressive… We will not go down this path and will adhere to a peaceful strategy and consistently implement the peace agenda,” Pashinyan said.
Pashinyan also emphasized that Armenia will use the language of dialogue, not the language of aggression. At the same time, he added that Armenia also has a similar perception of Azerbaijan.
“But the peace strategy is to take into account that Azerbaijan has such a perception of us, and they should take into account that Armenia has such a perception of them. The peace agenda is about discussing and addressing these perceptions. Part of the agreed articles of the peace treaty closes the page on some of these perceptions, other parts allow us to make all mutual negative perceptions part of the bilateral agenda and eliminate them,” added the Prime Minister of Armenia.
On January 7, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev named Armenia “a fascist state” and added that “fascism must be destroyed.”
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh has been ongoing since 1988. As a result of the conflict, according to various estimates, more than 30,000 people died. A ceasefire was established only in May 1994.
However, even after the truce was concluded, it was repeatedly violated.
On September 19, 2023, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan announced the start “anti-terrorist measures” in Nagorno-Karabakh for “restoration of the constitutional order”.
On September 20, the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh surrendered and decided to cease fire. The President of Azerbaijan said that the country in a day “fulfilled all the tasks of the anti-terrorist operation” and “restored sovereignty”.
On September 30, Azerbaijan recognized the territorial integrity of Armenia.
The unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh ceased to exist on January 1, 2024.
On February 15, Armenian Prime Minister Nikola Pashinyan announced that Azerbaijan plans to start new military operations on the border with Armenia, which could turn into a full-scale invasion against Yerevan.