In a speech at the session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Bahrain on March 13, Alen Simonyan, the Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, refuted assertions that his country has territorial claims against its neighbors.

"Some claim that Armenia seeks to expand its territory. Let me be clear - Armenia has no territorial claims against any of its neighbors," Simonyan added. He noted that the cornerstone of Armenia's foreign policy is maintaining peaceful relations with all countries. "However, we face many threats. Tensions persist in the South Caucasus. Since May 12, 2021, neighboring Azerbaijan has been violating Armenia's territorial integrity and illegally occupied about 150 square kilometers of its territory," Simonyan stressed.

He recalled that Azerbaijan continues the blockade of the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting Armenia and the world to Nagorno-Karabakh and its ethnic Armenian population. "The blockade is a flagrant violation of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, which states that the Republic of Azerbaijan guarantees the safe movement of citizens, vehicles, and goods in both directions along the Lachin corridor. This road has been blocked by dozens of Azerbaijanis masquerading as 'environmental activists' from December 12, 2022," Simonyan pointed out.

"Unfortunately, Azerbaijan is not limited to spreading disinformation and the harassment described above. Just a few days ago, on March 5, three Nagorno-Karabakh police officers were killed and another wounded in a pre-planned ambush ordered by Azerbaijan," he said.

Read also:

Alen Simonyan: "Russia Cannot Provide Armenia's Security under CSTO"s

Simonyan: Azerbaijan Prepares Ground for Closing Lachin Corridor

Alen Simonyan: "Armenia Hopes to Extend EU Mission on Border with Azerbaijan"