With 86 “in favor” and 0 “against”, the National Assembly of Armenia adopted the statement condemning Azerbaijan’s encroachment on the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia. The statement was authored by the opposition Prosperous Armenia faction and was presented by member of the faction Arman Abovyan during today’s special session of the National Assembly.

The text of the statement reads as follows:

“Statement of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia in regard to the current problems during the crisis created in the borderline zones, particularly in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces and the paths to solve the problems, protection of borders and ensuring of security

The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia records that on May 12, 2021, with the excuse of allegedly adjusting borders and carrying out certain works in one of the border sectors of Syunik Province, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan penetrated into the territory of the Republic of Armenia in the direction of Sev Lake territory, advancing a few kilometers into the Verishen settlement. At this moment, several hundreds of representatives of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan are still in the territory of the Republic of Armenia — certain sectors of Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces. During the session held on May 13, the Security Council of Armenia recorded that it is the second day that there is a crisis surrounding Sev Lake of Syunik Province and the nearby areas. The actions of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan are unacceptable for Armenia. This is clearly encroachment on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, and the Republic of Armenia will not tolerate this situation in any way.

Taking into consideration the anti-Armenian and belligerent policy of Azerbaijan, the overt aspirations of the leadership of Azerbaijan for the territorial integrity of Armenia, including the several statements containing threats of use of force, as well as the Armenophobia that has been advocated at the state level for decades, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia strictly condemns the encroachments of Azerbaijan on the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and states that the aggressive policy led by Azerbaijan is a violation of the fundamental principles of international law enshrined by the UN Charter and that this reserves the Republic of Armenia the right to take adequate actions provided for by international law, the Constitution and legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

As the highest representative body of the people of the Republic of Armenia, the National Assembly declares that:

Resolute and coarse actions will be taken to suspend the military aggression of Azerbaijan and protect the people and sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia;

The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia calls on the international community to condemn the provocative actions targeted against the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and the threats of use of force on the part of Azerbaijan, and the de facto use of force which poses a threat to the fragile peace and security in the region.”