YEREVAN (Panorama.am) — There is no legal ground for the handover of “enclaves” to Azerbaijan, Armenia’s former Prime Minister Vazgen Manukyan claimed, warning it would clear the way for renewed war within Armenia’s territory.
“The existence of the enclaves was not stipulated by any Soviet law. They were once handed over to Azerbaijan by the consent of the local leadership. Accordingly, it has no legal force. They are de-jure Armenian territories,” the politician said in a statement on Tuesday, June 6.
“The handover of enclaves to the enemy will create more favorable conditions and temptation for them to continue the war on Armenia’s territory. As a result, the peace treaty will become a war treaty,” Manukyan warned.
Separately, he rejected the “absurd” claims that surrendering Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to Azerbaijan would open up an era of peace in the region.
“The mere fact that Armenia, regardless of the principle of territorial integrity, does not defend and promote the Artsakh people’s right to self-determination and independence humiliates us before the whole world. How can we live like this?” the politician wrote.
Manukyan urged the military and law enforcement authorities to protect the state.
