Signing of Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty nullifies OSCE Minsk Group's relevance, believes Alen Simonyan

YEREVAN, 7 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. According to the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Alen Simonyan, Yerevan is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. The President of the Armenian National Assembly announced this during a briefing with journalists, addressing the statement made by President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Aliyev suggested that both Baku and Yerevan jointly propose to the OSCE the abolition of the Minsk Group.

The Speaker emphasized that talks about the OSCE Minsk Group can only take place after the peace treaty is concluded.

"If we sign a peace treaty, the significance of the OSCE Minsk Group is simply lost because it is Azerbaijan itself that suggests as if Armenia has some ambitions, demands. Once we sign the peace treaty, the issue will be resolved. I believe there will be no need for it. I don't understand why Aliyev tries to undermine the peace process every time when we already have agreements," said Simonyan.

Regarding Aliyev's statement about Armenia having "territorial claims from Azerbaijan" under a clause stipulated in the constitution, the Speaker of the National Assembly stated that he could only reiterate the position of the Armenian Foreign Ministry and couldn't add anything.

He emphasized that the Constitution of Armenia is a matter of internal affairs for Armenia. The Government has been discussing the Constitution for a long time, but not in that context.

"We recognized the need for significant global changes after 2018, and we initiated them in 2020," Simonyan said.

Simonyan expressed his opinion, stating that he sees a direct connection and is very sorry that the current street movement is playing into Baku's hands. He added that this is a consequence of the movement organizing excursions in the streets of Yerevan.

"Look, we have forwarded the proposals in the ninth edition of the peace treaty to Azerbaijan. Following that, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan announced a positive response. However, now they are trying to take advantage and weaken us in this situation. When they see that some internal process is happening, they should play with each other with passes. I am sure they are processes being directed from the same location. From where the desire to change power in Armenia is directed, combined with attacks on Armenia's sovereign territory. From where invitations to rallies are being directed,’’ said Simonyan, noting that it is a political statement on his part.