Inappropriate Reaction of International Community and Division in Armenian Society: Catholicos Karekin II Highlights Reasons for Difficult Situation in Karabakh
Armenian Catholicos Karekin II Highlights Reasons for Difficult Situation in Karabakh
All-Armenian Catholicos Karekin II has identified several factors that have contributed to the challenging situation in Karabakh. He points to the international community’s inappropriate response to Azerbaijan’s actions, the policies of the Armenian authorities, and the division within Armenian society.
Armenia Faces Similar Threats
Karekin II emphasizes that Armenia now faces similar threats to its sovereignty and statehood. He expresses concerns about security challenges, territorial losses, the hasty peace process under pressure, and the breakdown in communication with society. These factors have created an atmosphere of mistrust that could lead to further difficulties.
Wise Action and National Unity Needed
To effectively address ongoing problems and overcome the serious situation, Karekin II emphasizes the importance of acting wisely and accurately assessing geopolitical realities. He calls for utilizing the nation’s full potential and experience to find solutions and avoid further losses, considering the ambitions of the enemy towards Armenia.
Call for Unity and Cooperation
Karekin II urges statesmen to refrain from spreading hatred, building divisions, and weakening the nation. He emphasizes the need for national, religious, social, and political structures to unite and work together to confront the current challenges and secure the future of the country.
Background on Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh declared its secession from the Azerbaijan SSR 35 years ago and existed as an unrecognized republic after the armed conflict with Azerbaijan in 1992-1994. However, it announced the end of its existence on January 1, 2024.
Resumption of Fighting and Ceasefire
In September 2020, fighting resumed in Karabakh, leading to a ceasefire agreement mediated by Moscow. As a result, the Armenian side lost territories surrounding Karabakh and parts of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region. Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region. Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan acknowledged Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan’s territory in negotiations with the West and later confirmed this in a press conference in Yerevan in May 2023.
Azerbaijan’s Military Operation and Ceasefire Agreement
In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a military operation in Karabakh with the aim of dissolving unrecognized bodies of the republic. Armenia described these actions as aggression, denying the presence of Armenian units in Karabakh. A ceasefire agreement was reached through Russian peacekeepers’ mediation, which included the disarmament of Armenian formations. Subsequent negotiations between representatives of Karabakh and Baku focused on incorporating the region into Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared that Azerbaijan had regained its territorial integrity.