Politician: Hajiyev's statement reveals a hidden threat

Levon Zurabyan, Deputy Chairman of the Armenian National Congress (ANC), has criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his administration for what he describes as a dangerous misinterpretation of recent remarks by Hikmet Hajiyev, a foreign policy advisor to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Zurabyan pointed to Hajiyev’s statement that “a military clash between Armenia and Azerbaijan is not on the agenda”.

“Nikol Pashinyan and his propagandists are celebrating this statement as proof of success and effectiveness of their so-called peace agenda,” Zurabyan wrote. “But in reality, the remark is far more troubling than they seem to grasp.”

“Hajiyev doesn’t rule out war or military action against Armenia. He offers no explanation for the recent gunfire and escalating tensions along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border that occurred immediately after the two countries agreed on the draft peace treaty. Instead, he simply claims that war is ‘not currently on the agenda’.”

Zurabyan warns that anyone familiar with diplomatic rhetoric should recognize the hidden threat in such language.

“An agenda is not something fixed – what is not 'on the agenda' today may well become a priority tomorrow. This phrasing leaves the door wide open for renewed conflict. In essence, Azerbaijan is making no genuine effort toward peace and is keeping the possibility of war alive,” the politician claimed.

“Meanwhile, Pashinyan continues misleading the public with claims of so-called diplomatic success,” he added.