Armenian Deputy FM Confirms Ambassador to Belgium Received Death Threats from Azerbaijani Counterpart

Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan confirmed that Tigran Balayan, Armenia's Ambassador to Belgium, received death threats from his Azerbaijani counterpart. This incident underscores the intensifying friction between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which has only been exacerbated by recent negotiations aimed at restoring regional communication channels.

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During a press briefing at Armenia’s National Assembly on Tuesday, Hovhannisyan disclosed that verbal insults and direct threats were directed at Ambassador Balayan during an official reception. In response, Armenia promptly notified both the Belgian government and the European Union (EU) about the threats, emphasizing the severity of the issue to its European partners. “There were insults and threats,” Hovhannisyan stated, noting that Armenian officials had reported the incident to relevant Belgian and EU authorities. “There is no response yet,” he added.

Amid these diplomatic strains, Armenia and Azerbaijan have continued negotiations focused on restoring regional transport routes, as both countries aim to strengthen economic cooperation and ease regional tensions. Deputy Foreign Minister Hovhannisyan outlined Armenia’s priorities for the talks, confirming that Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had proposed simplified procedures for unblocking transport routes.

Hovhannisyan clarified that Armenia’s stance emphasizes the “maximum opening of communications” but firmly rejects any form of third-party monitoring or involvement by international security firms. “The main thing is that it excludes third-party monitoring and preserves Armenia's sovereignty and total monitoring over these channels,” he stressed, indicating Armenia’s intention to maintain direct control over its borders and transport corridors.

In response to questions about the progress of these negotiations, Hovhannisyan revealed that recent discussions have been “very intensive,” but he refrained from sharing specific outcomes or agreements. He acknowledged that a new package of proposals has been sent to Azerbaijan, and Armenia is awaiting a response from Baku, hoping for a constructive engagement that could lead to concrete steps toward cooperation.

Addressing Armenia’s broader foreign policy goals, Hovhannisyan emphasized that preventing genocide remains a significant focus for the Armenian government. This comes in response to comments by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, who recently stated that seeking international recognition for the Armenian Genocide is no longer a primary objective for Armenia’s foreign policy. Instead, the government is committed to preventive measures, aiming to protect vulnerable populations from similar atrocities worldwide.

Looking ahead, Armenia is set to host an international forum in December, dedicated to discussing and advancing genocide prevention strategies. Hovhannisyan described the forum as “ambitious,” highlighting its comprehensive program designed to promote awareness and cooperation on genocide prevention. He explained that while international recognition of past genocides remains important, Armenia’s current priority lies in proactively preventing future instances of genocide.

This recent incident involving the death threats against Armenia’s Ambassador in Belgium sheds light on the broader atmosphere of hostility between Armenia and Azerbaijan, even as both nations engage in negotiations aimed at enhancing regional cooperation. The unresolved grievances and historical conflicts between these countries continue to pose a barrier to sustainable peace.