"My positions have not changed," said Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during the National Assembly-Government Q&A session, responding to a question on whether his stance has toughened regarding the statements made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
"It has not become tougher, nor has it softened. What was recorded on August 8, 2025, in Washington is not only our policy and our will, but we also believe it must be implemented as soon as possible - every minute, every day matters.
The issue is that we have signed and pre-signed documents. When statements are made that are not found in those documents - for example, the term 'Zangezur Corridor' is used - we question where that term is coming from. We open and read the document we signed in Washington. We signed it with the President of Azerbaijan, and the President of the United States also signed it. Is there such a term in the document? No, there is not. Very well. We have also pre-signed an agreement on establishing peace and interstate relations. Is there such a term there? No, there is not. Have we ever accepted any document anywhere that includes such terminology? No, we haven’t. So, why is it being used? I asked a straightforward question and said it’s worth clarifying—what exactly does that refer to? Moreover, I have also addressed this from the National Assembly podium, because this is an important nuance. For example, if in Azerbaijan they refer to the Horadiz-Zangilan road in that way, then we need to ask ourselves—does this concern us or not? In the case of Azerbaijan, it is Azerbaijan that decides on names; in the case of Armenia, it is Armenia that does so. This is also recorded in the document. We have recognized each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders. Therefore, no changes have taken place. On the contrary, a change has occurred in the rhetoric, because after August 8, we need to approach these matters differently. We must understand why this expression is being used—is it to provoke public reaction?" the Prime Minister stated.
Touching upon the issue of opening communications, Pashinyan said:
"We must open them without delay. Right now, we can begin designing and constructing gas pipelines, pipelines, and power transmission cables without any issues. We must now start designing the railway and identify what other infrastructure needs to be reopened. We have said that we are ready - and we are going - to simplify procedures so that our customs and border control mechanisms align with the best modern global standards. We are ready to make simplifications, but they are still limited by five principles: sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of borders, jurisdiction, and reciprocity for domestic, bilateral, and international transport. Our will and determination have not been shaken in any way. Why are we creating disputes over words? Let’s implement on the ground what we have agreed upon. We will do this without delay and are working intensively in that direction," Pashinyan emphasized.
