Armenia does not play a decisive role in resolving relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan. However, according to public figure Azat Arshakyan, neither do Baku nor Ankara hold such a role. Responding to the question of whether there is progress in these relations or if they remain stagnant, Arshakyan stated: “I believe we are where we have been led, and this applies to both Armenia and Azerbaijan.”
Arshakyan noted that in Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Armenia finds itself in a position of limited influence. “We have been brought to this situation by the hand,” he said, emphasizing that Armenia awaits instructions from external forces for the next steps. According to him, Armenia has delegated its decision-making authority to the European Union and the United States, stating: “You regulate—reconcile us or make us fight.” He added that if Armenia is provided with modern weaponry and military support, the country is ready to fight. “Over the past 30 years, we have fought, successfully liberated territories, and were proud and victorious. Now we have a precedent: if you provide us with good weaponry, we will fight; if you propose a peace program, we are ready for cooperation,” Arshakyan noted.
In Arshakyan’s view, the future of relations between Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey is determined by major powers—the United States, the Russian Federation, and the European Union—through their coordinated stance. He emphasized that these states seem to have a shared position on regional issues, particularly in Armenian-Azerbaijani and Armenian-Turkish relations. For example, he referenced the November 9 memorandum and the August 8 document, which share nearly identical content, but in the first case, Russia was the regulator, while in the second, it was the United States. “The U.S. had a positive opinion on the November 9 memorandum, and the EU, NATO, and the G7 democratic states did not object,” Arshakyan said. However, according to him, the eighth point of the document was not implemented, leading to its failure.
Addressing Turkey’s role, Arshakyan noted that it cannot be considered a key player. “Turkey is a vulnerable and unestablished state. The Lausanne Conference assumed it would become a model of Muslim democracy, but that project has failed,” he said. In his view, religion in Turkey has undermined secular life, contradicting democratic principles. He cited Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania as examples of more democratic and free Muslim states. Despite Turkey’s involvement in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, its role remains secondary. “Turkey plays the role of Azerbaijan’s elder brother, but its influence is limited,” Arshakyan noted.
Regarding changes to Armenia’s constitution, particularly issues related to Mount Ararat, Arshakyan emphasized that these are not driven by Turkey’s demands. “This is our internal agenda, shaped to adapt to Armenia’s reality,” he said. In his opinion, Turkey lacks the ability to punish Armenia if it does not comply with such demands. “We should not be afraid. Ararat remains Ararat, and it cannot be a pretext for war,” Arshakyan stressed.