Armenia's Former FM Warns of "Vulnerable and Bitter Reality" After Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Treaty

In a chilling video message shared on his personal Facebook page, former Armenia’s Former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian expressed deep apprehensions about the looming peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Oskanian, who served as Foreign Minister in previous administrations, painted a grim picture of the potential aftermath of the accord.

"After the peace agreement, we will face a much more vulnerable and bitter reality," warned Oskanian, echoing a sentiment of pessimism that has gripped many in the Homeland. His words come at a time when discussions about a peace treaty, purportedly to be signed by the end of the year, dominate the discourse among government officials.

Oskanian drew attention to the widespread governmental support for the peace agreement, with Armenia’s Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Secretary of the Security Council all publicly endorsing the impending accord. However, he questioned the sincerity behind their assurances, hinting at a perceived gap between the official narrative and the sentiments of the Armenian people.

"Do you feel that these people are speaking with their seemingly 'open front,' and they are simply announcing to us that a peace agreement will be signed? The Armenian people, however, are clearly reading something on this 'open front,'" Oskanian remarked, pointing to the skepticism prevailing among the populace.

The former Foreign Minister took a distinct stance on the negotiations, framing them not merely as Armenian-Azerbaijani discussions but as Armenian-Turkish negotiations. He argued that both Turkey and Azerbaijan share equal interest in the outcome, with potential repercussions for both nations.

"Turkey and Azerbaijan believe that the Armenian people strongly believe that they settled on the lands of the Armenians, settled on the historical lands of the Armenians," Oskanian stated, emphasizing a historical and territorial dimension to the negotiations. He expressed concern that the current authorities, who oversaw the loss of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and compromised Armenian territory, may make concessions that could prove detrimental to Armenia's long-term interests.

"I have serious concerns that in the end, there will be no joy for us, and we will face a much more vulnerable and much more bitter reality," Oskanian concluded, leaving the nation to grapple with the weight of uncertainty as the peace treaty negotiations unfold against a backdrop of historical grievances and contemporary challenges.

Contextual Background on "Crossroads of Peace":

Last month Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented the ambitious "Crossroads of Peace" project.

The “Crossroads of Peace” project, according to Pashinyan, aims to enhance communication between Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran through infrastructure development, including roads, railways, pipelines, cables and electricity lines. He pointed out that some regional railways and highways have been inactive for 30 years, and reactivating them could establish efficient routes connecting the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean.

Pashinyan invites governments and private investors to consider the project, emphasizing its potential benefits for all countries in the region. He says that all infrastructures would operate under the sovereignty of the countries through which they pass, with border and customs control ensured by each country, promoting reciprocity and equality. This approach appears to be a direct response to Azerbaijan’s demand for control over the “Zangezur corridor.”