Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan speaks at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. “Let’s talk about the good”: Pashinyan reports on achievements in negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the UN UN
“Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan is not only possible, but also within reach.” Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this in his speech at the General Debate on Thursday.
Starting his speech, he said that his speech at the 79th session of the General Assembly would be significantly different from those he delivered in previous years, due to the positive changes in relations with Azerbaijan.
Pashinyan stressed the importance of the agreement signed on August 30, in which both countries committed to the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration as a basis for delimiting the border. This step, according to him, confirms the mutual recognition of territorial integrity, which is an important step towards long-awaited peace.
Pashinyan noted that both countries have no territorial claims against each other, which was confirmed in recent agreements.
The Prime Minister proposed signing a draft Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations, noting that 80 percent of the terms have already been agreed upon. He called for taking the opportunity to sign the agreement, stressing that it cannot resolve all the issues at once, but will provide a basis for further activities.
Pashinyan acknowledged that some obstacles remain, in particular those related to the interpretation of the constitution. Thus, Azerbaijan expressed concern about the Armenian constitution, claiming that it contains territorial claims. The Prime Minister of Armenia assured that there are no such claims and that the draft peace agreement provides legal guarantees for the resolution of these issues.
He also spoke about Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative aimed at resuming transport routes between Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and other neighbors. This project, he said, will not only promote economic development, but also people-to-people ties, which is a key factor for long-term peace.
In his speech, Pashinyan mentioned the Armenian proverb: “Let’s talk about good things to live well.” Thus, he emphasized that, despite the existing difficulties, it is necessary to focus on positive aspects, because this can become the basis for implementing solutions and minimizing negative factors.