Member of Parliament Gevorg Papoyan has dismissed as “unreasonable” the statements made by Azerbaijani authorities about the need for guarantees ruling out possible revanchism in order to sign a peace treaty.
Papoyan, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs, said that signing a peace treaty in itself would mean that no revanches would happen.
“Our perception of peace doesn’t have such things [revanchism],” Papoyan said.
“I think that a peace treaty itself is about no revanches happening…..We must understand, if we want Armenia to get stronger, for it to have lasting statehood, independence, then this path goes through dialogue with neighbors, and we need a peace treaty as much as they do,” Papoyan added.
MP Papoyan said that after the signing of a peace treaty he envisions regional integration at all levels, development of economic relations, prosperity and growth in living standards.
He warned that some “external forces” could try to incite revanchist sentiments. “But we must not become an instrument in the hands of third countries,” Papoyan said.
To the question of one of the journalists, whether there are actions to meet the demand of the Azerbaijani side in the negotiation process, Papoyan said, although he does not have any information on that, it is illogical to think about revenge while preparing to sign a peace treaty, because the people thinking about revenge cannot sign a peace treaty.
According to him, the end point of peace will be the delimitation and demarcation of the borders, and the presence of border guards, not soldiers, restoration of mutual ties, etc.
"If all this does not happen, there will be no peace," said the deputy, emphasizing that the citizens of Armenia and Azerbaijan should be prepared for peace.
To the question whether Azerbaijan is ready for peace, Papoyan answered: if the Azerbaijani side signs an agreement, then it is ready, if not, then it is not ready.
