Armenian separatists rejected the Russian Federation's plan to integrate into the Azerbaijani legal space

Baku/16.07.23/Turan: Local activists in Karabakh, representing the separatist leadership, have been provided with a copy of a draft peace agreement between Khankendi and the official authorities in Baku. The proposal, formulated by the Russian Foreign Ministry, pertains to the living conditions of Armenians in Azerbaijan. Notably, the project's title underscores its focus on the Armenian residence within Azerbaijan's former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region.

An examination of the document reveals Azerbaijan's commitment, at the legislative level, to safeguard the cultural and humanitarian rights of Armenians. It explicitly guarantees the right of the Armenian populace in Karabakh to self-governance, adhering to the nation's laws. This extends to aspects like the usage and advancement of the Armenian language, as well as instruction in the native tongue across pre-schools, primary, secondary, and tertiary educational institutions. The document further assures freedom of religion. Baku consents to enshrining the rights of the region's Armenians within its legislative framework, allowing for business and humanitarian exchanges with Armenia.

The draft presented by Russia outlines that Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies will prosecute solely those Armenians found guilty of crimes determined by a court of law. Individuals who participated in wars against Azerbaijan and officials from the separatist regime, unless proven culpable of crimes, will not face punitive measures.

Conspicuously absent from the draft are the conditions sought by the separatists regarding international involvement in negotiations and the establishment of a second Armenian state independent of Azerbaijan.

Khankendi acknowledged that the project garnered support from Baku but faced rejection by the separatist faction.

Within Armenian social media circles, recollections of 2020 were invoked, specifically the moment when a document signed on November 9 was rejected by 90% of Armenians and all political parties during the conflict. Subsequently, following the war's outcome, an equal number of Armenians blamed Pashinyan for not agreeing to Azerbaijan's peace terms at the onset of the conflict.

Expressing his concerns, Hovhannes Khachatur stated, "I fear history may repeat itself. I hope I am mistaken."

Vahan Poghosyan mused, "We may find ourselves compelled to sign, given there seems to be no alternative."