Opposition MP: Shushi Declaration poses ‘existential challenge’ to Armenia, Artsakh

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Armenia – Feb 14 2022

Armenian MP Andranik Tevanyan, who represents the opposition Hayastan faction, calls for proportionate response to the recent ratification of the Shushi Declaration by the Turkish and Azerbaijani parliaments.

The declaration, signed on June 15, 2021, focuses on Turkish-Azerbaijani defense cooperation and establishing new transport routes. It affirms joint efforts by the two armies “in the face of foreign threats”, and the restructuring and modernization of their armed forces.

“The document poses a challenge to Armenia’s Declaration of Independence, the existence of Armenia and Artsakh,” Tevanyan wrote on Facebook on Monday.

He rejected claims about “positive signals” from Turkey and launch of the Armenia-Turkey normalization process without preconditions as a “bluff”.

“By ratifying the Shushi Declaration, Azerbaijan and Turkey sent the opposite signals and Armenia must adequately respond to them,” the deputy noted.

He also shared the text of a draft statement on the ratification of the Shushi Declaration, which requires parliamentary approval.

“Being provocative and destructive in nature, the Shushi Declaration is unacceptable to the Republic of Armenia. It poses serious challenges to regional and global security, does not contribute to the peaceful development of our region, contradicts the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations on the basis of "no preconditions" principle and raises serious doubts about the real intentions and conduct of the official Ankara,” reads the statement in part.