ArmInfo.Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's team could well organize a referendum on ways and prospects of settling the conflict with Azerbaijan. In any case, such a possibility could be considered now, Sergey Markedonov, Leading Researcher of the Euro-Atlantic Security Center, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), said in an interview with ArmInfo.
"In considering this possibility, we should not forget that, after coming to power as a result of the 'velvet revolution' Pashinyan, immediately after being elected Armenia's premier, stated that any solution to the Karabakh problem implied nationwide approval. However, in less than two years, he actually broke his promise by signing the statement ending the 44-day war on November 9, 2020 - primarily due to the fact that the trilateral statement obviously outlined the future peace settlement. Nevertheless, that document did not receive universal approval in Armenia. Rather, it is being severely criticized," Mr Markedonov said.
Under the circumstances, a referendum on the prospects of settling the conflict with Azerbaijan is, in general, in interests of the ruling party and Pashinyan-led team. By holding a referendum, Pashinyan will place the responsibility on the people of Armenia, which will allow him to state, when necessary, that, after doing his best, he cannot act against popular will.
According to Mr Markedonov, the people could well disapprove the prospect of Armenia and Azerbaijan recognizing each other's territorial integrity. With such referendum results, accusing the Armenian leadership of being incapable of reaching agreements will be a rather difficult task to accomplish. The result could be a chance of new negotiations, with the parties' positions clarified.
"All this appears quite interesting and, of course, is capable of offering new prospects in the normalization of the Yerevan-Baku relations. But let us come back to the current situation round Nagorno-Karabakh, especially to its geopolitical background, which is much more apparent now than it was a month ago. We should note that the result of the Ukraine developments will have its impact on the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict – not less significant than the domestic political discourses," Mr Markedonov said.
During a question hour in Armenia's Parliament on Wednesday, Aghvan Vardanyan, a member of the Armenia faction, asked Armenia's FM Ararat Mirzoyan about a possible referendum on the ways and prospects of settling the conflict with Azerbaijan. The minister said that such a possibility has not yet been discussed and needs considering.