‘With his statements, Pashinyan is trying to please Baku and Ankara’: Armenian community of Germany

The Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Germany and the Central Council of Armenians have issued a joint statement in response to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent remarks.

“The Armenian Diocese of Germany and the Central Council of Armenians of Germany are deeply concerned over the recent statements by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding the change in the ideological direction of the Republic of Armenia. We perceive this ideological shift as an attempt to split the Armenian Diaspora and endanger its unified system of spiritual and moral values. A stable, secure and strong state cannot be based on historical mistakes and erroneous judgments. The Armenian Prime Minister’s ‘new’ policy follows a path paved with lies and illusions. Apparently, the Armenian Prime Minister does not learn lessons from either the Armenian Genocide, the collapse of the USSR, or the deplorable defeat in Artsakh. Apparently, with his statements, lengthy political digressions and refusal of demands, he is trying to please Azerbaijan, whose territorial claims and political encroachments continue, as well as Turkey, whose century-old republic was founded on the Armenian Genocide and its denial. Murders and genocides have no statute of limitations. Impunity leads to new crimes.

Fear is usually a bad advisor. Unfortunately, the position of the current Armenian authorities, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, weakens the force of the law. With the loss of Artsakh, the losses continue. The calculation of the current authorities that there will be peace with the loss of Artsakh was erroneous. They act with the same naivety to this day, rejecting all levers of force.

Azerbaijan has signed and ratified the European Conventions on Human Rights of 1950 and 2002 and violates them. Azerbaijan has signed the UN Charter and is violating it. Azerbaijan has signed the Geneva Convention of 1949 and violates it. Azerbaijan signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1966 and violates it.

Does the Armenian Prime Minister really believe that this state will respect the peace agreement signed with such a poor and weakened state as the Republic of Armenia? Until now, these neighbors have not given any guarantees that they are striving for peace. On the contrary, they openly continue their uncompromising struggle to complete the racist and colonialist program of their ancestors,” the statement reads.

The Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Central Council in Germany called on the authorities to reconsider their views and stop making statements that undermine the nation’s identity, unity, and values; jointly resist the pressure of our opponents with the help of a competent diplomatic and international strategy for conducting judicial proceedings; and demand that both Azerbaijan and Turkey recognize the Armenian Genocide, keeping this issue on the agenda.

They added that in this case, they are always ready to provide support and cooperation.