The Minsk Group set up in 1992 to deal with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was for decades co-headed by the United States, Russia and France. It became essentially moribund after the three world powers stopped working together following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Azerbaijan has listed the group’s formal dissolution among its preconditions for signing a peace deal with Armenia.
Until recently, Pashinian linked that to the signing of an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty. But he clearly softened his stance two days after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev made last month fresh threats of military action against Armenia. His office said Yerevan is now “considering the possibility of appealing to the OSCE regarding the dissolution of the Minsk Group.” It remains unclear whether this could be done before or after the possible signing of the treaty.
Pashinian’s political opponents have denounced his readiness to make this and other additional concessions to Baku. They argue that the group’s dissolution will close the Karabakh issue for good and preclude the Karabakh Armenian’s eventual return to their homeland.
Artur Khachatrian, a senior lawmaker representing the main opposition Hayastan alliance, said on Wednesday that Pashinian should also take into account geopolitical implications of the start of U.S.-Russian negotiations on stopping the war in Ukraine.
“As we can see, the situation is changing and the change of the situation could make allies enemies and turn enemies into friends, and the Artsakh issue may well return to international political agendas in case of skillful diplomacy,” Khachatrian told a news conference. “The Minsk Group is perhaps the best format for discussing this issue.”
“Unlike Pashinian, Aliyev understands very well that the changes could open a window of opportunity for Armenia and the Armenian people, including the Armenians of Artsakh,” he said.
Vahagn Aleksanian, a deputy chairman of Pashinian’s Civil Contract party, dismissed that argument.
“If Armenia and Azerbaijan achieve peace, then the non-dissolution of the Minsk Group would be at least strange,” he said.
