Statement by Armenian parliament elegation member to PACE A. Gevorgyan on the activities of the Bureau and the Standing Committee is published.
"Nagorno-Karabakh has been besieged by Azerbaijan for over 40 days. Throughout its membership in our organization, Azerbaijan has been guided by political violence and war as tools and means of state policy in both domestic and foreign policy. The Azerbaijani government has consistently pursued a policy of radical racism and ethnic cleansing against "others" and especially against Armenians. Another characteristic feature of Azerbaijani state policy is the speculation on the export potential of oil and gas to Europe as its unique advantage. Therefore, each of us can decide whether such a policy is fascism, national-radicalism or state terrorism.
"Today I would like to ask you to think in three main ways.
"The state policy of besieging 120,000 people along with daily threats of force against them is being pursued by a member of the Council of Europe. Azerbaijan's membership has increased this authoritarian regime's sense of impunity and has turned our organization into an agency that legitimizes its aggressive policy against the Armenian people.
"Many states represented in this Assembly have recognized the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The siege of Nagorno-Karabakh is the next stage of this crime. Moreover, this crime against humanity is still denied by Turkey and Azerbaijan. This state criminal policy of Azerbaijan and any possible peace process cannot be confused: subjecting people to group punishment because of their ethnicity is a war crime, and is not related to negotiations. So not condemning it is clearly aiding and abetting this crime, rather than leaving room for diplomacy.
"What is happening today in Nagorno-Karabakh is not just a humanitarian disaster. It is now an even bigger problem than just the Armenian-Azerbaijani problem, or the self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. It is about the civilizational identity of Europe. It is about the choice between democracy, dignity and peace on the one hand, and "energy security," shame and disgrace on the other. History tells us the price of disgraceful elections.
"Mr. Chairperson, let me conclude by saying that the Armenians of the South Caucasus, whether in Armenia or in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is besieged these days, have for centuries not only created conditions for the preservation and development of our original national culture and identity, but have also helped many other nations in these matters. Despite our geographic and demographic size and current challenges, we will continue this mission, whether some people like it or not," he noted.
