Pashinyan: Armenia will accept Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan subject to guarantee

Armenia is ready to recognize Azerbaijan's 86,600 km2 territorial integrity which includes Nagorno Karabakh, but the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh must be discussed through Baku-Stepanakert dialogue, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated on Monday.

“Armenia is ready to recognize the 86,600 km2 territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. And it is our understanding that Azerbaijan is ready to recognize the 29,800 km2 territorial integrity of Armenia," Pashinyan said, adding that it is highly important to ensure international guarantees for direct talks between Stepanakert and Baku over the rights and security of Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh.

“The issue of the rights and security of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh could be omitted and Azerbaijan could continue with its policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide against Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh,” he warned, stressing the need for guarantees to prevent it.

The 29,800 km2 territorial integrity of Armenia includes enclaves, including Artsvashen. The 86,600 km2 territorial integrity of Azerbaijan also includes enclaves.