Serzh Sargsyan: Don’t protect Artsakh from me. It is absurd

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan does not share the opinion that Customs Union member states do not want Armenia to join the organization.

“I am surprised that we are continuing to discuss it. Armenia will join the Customs Union with the borders recognized by itself – just as it joined other international organizations in the last 20-23 years,” S. Sargsyan said in an interview with Public Television Channel of Armenia.

In his words, Armenia has special relations with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

“Armenia has special relations with the second Armenian republic – the NKR. And it is wrong to dispute the fact that Nagorno Karabakh is an independent state. Yes, for certain clear reasons, we did not recognize the independence of NKR, and I fully agree with that. Other countries too did not recognize the NKR’s independence, for other reasons,” the Armenian president said.

Speaking about the Azerbaijani president’s letter about the inadmissibility of Armenia’s entry into the Customs Union together with Nagorno Karabakh - the letter was read out by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev at the May 29 meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana – Serzh Sargsyan said:

“I am surprised that many wonder why such a statement was made in Astana. It is no secret that Azerbaijan creates a tense atmosphere on the border, violates the ceasefire and wages a diplomatic war. It would be unusual if the Azerbaijani president did not send a letter to the heads of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. I don’t agree that it came as a surprise to us. Our delegation was composed of over ten people and we held a consultation the previous day. Everyone knew that the Azerbaijani president had sent a letter to the three presidents. We also have the experience of the past. The Kazakh president raised the issue in Minsk. The matter concerns relevance – what can be done where. Nothing unusual happened there. When I said that it was unpleasant, I meant not the substantive side, but the fact that the president of a Customs Union member state quotes a letter of the Azerbaijani president”.

“I repeat that Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic have their distinct borders. There can be no doubt about that. All those politicians who turn this theme into a subject of discussion only hinder the problem’s solution, creating additional threats for Armenia. Taking the opportunity, I ask my critics: Don’t protect Artsakh from me. It is not only outrageous, but also absurd,” Serzh Sargsyan said.