"If there is no direct dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert, the problem will not be solved, even from the point of view of Azerbaijan. The other option is genocide," NA Speaker Alen Simonyan stated in a briefing with journalists today, answering the question of whether a peace treaty will be signed if Azerbaijan withdraws its troops from the territories occupied by Armenia or direct dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert is established.
Simonyan assured that they would not allow genocide. According to him, the Azerbaijani authorities should think that the issue of direct dialogue is much more critical for them than for us.
Regarding the occupied territories, the Speaker of the National Assembly said, "There are villages and territories under Armenian control. Naturally, we don't talk about it. There are also parts of the territory of Armenia that are occupied territories. Suppose I'm not mistaken, about 150 km². Naturally, troops should be withdrawn. Azerbaijani troops should withdraw from the territory of Armenia after demarcation/delimitation; Armenian troops will naturally withdraw from the territory of Azerbaijan," said Simonyan, noting that for Armenia, those two points are fundamental. "If they were not there, it could be said that there are technical issues left in the peace agreement."