Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warns his people: 'It could lead to war'

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who visited the border regions of Armenia’s Tavush province, said, “If Armenia refuses to discuss the issue of border delimitation and demarcation with Azerbaijan, this could lead to war.”

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the border regions of Armenia’s northern Tavush province. Making statements during his visit, Pashinyan issued a warning to the Armenian people.

Warning about the consequences that would arise if Armenia does not return the villages belonging to Azerbaijan, Pashinyan stated, “If Armenia refuses to discuss the issue of border delimitation and demarcation with Azerbaijan, this could lead to war. I could just get up, leave the room, and say that the borders will not be delimited. But that would mean war breaking out by the weekend, and I know very well what would happen at the end of that war. Later, when we meet somewhere in Republic Square, you will say, ‘We are simple villagers, we had no information, but you knew everything.’”

AZERBAIJAN DEMANDS THE RETURN OF 4 OCCUPIED VILLAGES

In the border negotiations it is conducting with Armenia, Azerbaijan is demanding the unconditional return of the villages of Baganis Ayrim, Ashagi Eskipara, Heyrimli, and Gizilhajili, which are under Armenian occupation. The villages in question are part of Azerbaijan’s Gazakh district and were occupied as a result of Armenian attacks between 1990 and 1992.

The four villages, where no one has lived for at least 30 years, hold strategic importance as they are located between the Armenian and Georgian borders.

Azerbaijan states that the return of its territories is a necessary precondition for a peace treaty to be signed with Armenia.