Representatives of the “Armenia” and “I have honor” factions met with the delegation led by US Senator Gerry Peters.

2023-09-25 14:08:29

We attach importance to the meeting especially in this period, when the situation in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh is quite complicated, when internal and external challenges affect today’s security environment, which shakes the foundations of our statehood, security, and the unity of the Armenian people. Seyran Ohanyan, head of the faction, during the meeting with the members of the delegation led by US Senator Gerry Peters.

It took place on September 25, which was attended by Anna Grigoryan, Lilit Galstyan and Taguhi Tovmasyan, RA NA “I have honor” faction, as well as Christina Alison Quinn, US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to RA.

Seyran Ohanyan presented the situation in Nagorno Karabakh to the members of the delegation. “Azerbaijan has always countered the self-determination of Nagorno-Karabakh with wars and combat operations and aimed to depopulate it with the tacit consent of the international community,” said the head of the Armenia faction of the National Assembly, emphasizing that today, instead of self-determination, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh are being treated by the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem. another genocide is being carried out. “It is nice to meet with our colleagues in the legislative body. We have a lot in common in the scope of legislative activity,” said Gerry Peters, thanking for the warm reception and conveying the greetings of his colleagues in the Senate. He noted that he represents the state of Michigan, where there is a large Armenian community. According to him, the Armenians there, imbued with great love for their homeland, are interested in the developments taking place in Armenia. The senator noted that he expects from the meeting to present the issues and ways in which the US can be useful.

Taguhi Tovmasyan noted that Armenians are in a difficult period. “We know from the history textbooks how in 1915 people were shot and committed genocide, as a result of which the Armenian diaspora grew. On September 19, we witnessed how Nagorno Karabakh was surrounded and bombed. People had no place to escape,” Taguhi Tovmasyan elaborated, talking about the many victims, displaced, captured and kidnapped citizens. He noted that they expect the support of the most influential countries to preserve the homeland and democracy. The deputy added that after the events of Nagorno Karabakh, the next atrocities may be committed in Armenia, and to prevent them, it is necessary to act by imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan and its president.

Lilit Galstyan noted that what is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh is genocide, which could have been prevented if the attitude of the international community was adequate. “Unfortunately, the failure of the international community to hold the aggressor accountable gave a green light, and today we have a clear genocide: ethnic cleansing, elimination of cultural heritage, forcibly displaced people and a humanitarian disaster,” said Lilit Galstyan. He noted that although the USA has condemned Azerbaijan’s actions at the level of many senators and congressmen, Armenia expected more specific, targeted actions. Speaking about the security issues, the deputy of the “Armenia” faction noted that the international community and especially the USA should develop certain guarantee mechanisms to protect the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and guarantee their salvation if necessary. “I have repeatedly spoken about resolution 907, which refers to US military assistance to Azerbaijan. With that resolution, a green light was opened for the aggressor,” Lilit Galstyan added, expressing his belief that the US will make sufficient efforts to ensure peace and security guarantees.

Anna Grigoryan noted that Azerbaijan was not punished for the aggressive actions of 2020 and continues the same pattern today. He asked to act, stating that otherwise the ethnic cleansing and genocide will continue.
“Your messages were very clear, I realize that this is a historic moment for this country. I want to note that I myself am the initiator of the legislative project regarding the actions you mentioned in the USA. One of them is giving the US president the power to impose sanctions on actors like Abejan. With that legislative initiative, reference will also be made to Resolution 907 on limiting support to Azerbaijan. The legislation will also provide funding for humanitarian aid,” US Senator Gerry Peters said. He also informed that he visited Lachin Corridor and will meet forcibly displaced persons.

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