According to Armenian legislation, a territorial exchange with Azerbaijan is impossible without a referendum. Ruling party MP Sargis Khandanyan stated this obvious truth while speaking with reporters at the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia.

The question concerned the so-called “enclaves” claimed by Azerbaijan, as well as the Armenian enclave of Artsvashen. According to Khandanyan, the issue should be considered within the framework of the border delimitation process and will be resolved at some point.

“If, in some scenario, the parties decide to exchange territories, according to Armenia’s legislation, this cannot be carried out without a referendum,” the lawmaker said.

When Khandanyan was asked about aggressive statements coming from Azerbaijan, he blamed the Armenian side, stating, “How can peace be achieved by occupying someone else’s territories?”

Regarding why no Armenian state official visited Yerablur Military Pantheon of Yerevan on November 9, the day marking the end of the 44-day Nagorno-Karabakh war in 2020, Khandanyan assured that no one is forgotten and that the NA is considering a law initiative to make January 27 a day of remembrance for the victims.

Overall, Khandanyan noted that Armenia wants to sign a peace agreement as soon as possible, but Azerbaijan is putting forward conditions that are unacceptable for Armenia. It should be recalled that these conditions relate to a demand to amend the constitution of Armenia.