1 / 1

The NA Delegation took part in the work of the Winter Meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

On February 24, the Head of the RA NA Delegation, the deputy of the Civil Contract Faction Sargis Khandanyan gave a speech. The MP in his speech noted:

“Madam President,

During yesterday’s debates while the members of this Assembly were talking about the unlawful blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan and the necessity to immediately reopen it; our Azerbaijani colleagues were opposing them with an argument that a few hundred trucks of the Red Cross and Russian peacekeeping contingent had passed the corridor since December. My question is since when have we started to count the trucks bringing food, medication and fuel to our respective places of residence, since when the freedom of movement has become an act of generosity and how far it can go to mock the international community.

Dear colleagues,

While we are talking about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, our objective is not to perpetuate it. Quite the opposite, we need the support of the international community to stop the cycles of hatred and violence in the South Caucasus.

Therefore, I want to clearly affirm - Armenia believes that only peaceful dialogue can solve issues and establish stability and prosperity in our region. Armenia stands ready to advance the peace process with Azerbaijan with the mutual recognition of each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Armenia does not have territorial claims towards Azerbaijan or any of its neighbours. The Nagorno-Karabakh issue is about the rights and security of the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, and this should be addressed through an internationally visible dialogue between Baku and Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia is ready to open all transport and economic infrastructures in the region within the frames of the agreements reached on maintaining the sovereignty of the countries and the jurisdiction over the roads.

It has been more than 30 years that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict exists. I am younger than this conflict itself and as a young parliamentarian, as a young decision-maker I do not want to leave this conflict as a legacy to the next generation.

The motto of this year’s chairmanship is “It’s about people” and I believe, I hope we believe, that it’s about the people of Nagorno-Karabakh as well, isn’t it? ”