Armenia trapped in a Turkish-Azerbaijani grip, analyst warns

Political analyst Suren Surenyants has warned that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is placing Armenia in a vulnerable position by relying on Turkey’s mediation while aligning with Azerbaijan's demands.

“Azerbaijan continues to insist that Armenia dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group and amend its constitution for the finalization of a peace agreement,” Surenyants wrote on Telegram on Monday.

Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum last week, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov reiterated Baku’s demands. In response, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated: “There is nothing in Armenia’s constitution saying that Karabakh is part of Armenia.” However, Surenyants observed, “Bayramov was not convinced.”

The analyst further noted that Ankara appears to be reinforcing Baku’s stance, citing Turkish envoy Serdar Kilic, who said: “Armenia should make the necessary changes to its constitution and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has already started taking relevant steps.”

“Pashinyan’s government is apparently placing its hopes on Turkey’s so-called ‘constructive’ mediation, but Ankara consistently sides with Baku, pouring cold water on Pashinyan’s illusions,” the analyst said.

“Under the banner of ‘sovereignty,’ the Armenian authorities, having rejected Russian mediation, are effectively trapping the country in a Turkish-Azerbaijani grip," he added.