Armenia's failure to take concrete steps on issues related to enclaves, the TRIPP project, and a new constitution has brought discussions about the future of the peace process with Azerbaijan back on the agenda. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement that the peace agreement will be signed by 2031 also indicates this country's intention to delay the peace process.
In a statement to Modern.az, Samad Seyidov, chairman of the Milli Majlis Committee on International Relations and Interparliamentary Relations, stated that the Armenian government does not intend to hold a referendum:
“The Armenian leadership is doing nothing regarding the enclave issue, and on the other hand, the TRIPP project. Nikol Pashinyan is effectively hindering peace by directly stating that the peace agreement will be extended until 2031. The main worrying point is that both before and after the election, they declared to the world community that after the elections they would hold a referendum and present at least the first version of the constitution to the people. However, there is no news about a new constitution. They are not even thinking of holding a referendum.”
According to Samad Seyidov, Armenia's behavior jeopardizes the peace process:
“All of this, as Mr. President said, is playing a third game. This game is very flawed and dangerous. As Mr. President said, the peace process is very fragile and requires a serious approach. They want to undermine the peace process, or they have other ideas, they are waiting for something, they are hopeful for something. The Azerbaijani people should know that Armenians are starting old games again. They hope that both the European Union will provide them with some help, and that other forces they trust will get them out of the situation.”
The MP added that the simultaneous emergence of various means of pressure against Azerbaijan is noteworthy:
“Mr. President said at the YAP meeting that as soon as Azerbaijan stumbled a little, they stabbed it in the back. The European Parliament adopted a statement, hybrid attacks against Azerbaijan, external interventions, pressures, and the appeal of congressmen all seem to be processes happening at the same time. I think that as soon as Armenia observed this process, they started to hinder the peace process. This is a deliberate, planned form of external pressure on Azerbaijan.”
