With the participation of Gaspar Karapetyan, the House of Representatives of Belgium held a hearing on the project on Artsakh
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Belgian House of Representatives held important hearings on April 2 to discuss a draft resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh, which was presented by MPs Els Van Huffy and Michel de Maegde. The hearing included speeches by the representatives of the diplomatic and Armenian community, which provided the Commission necessary for the steps to be taken to protect the rights of Artsakh.
Armenian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium Tigran Balayan spoke on the Armenian side, Hayrnes Ghorgyan, a representative of the Artsakh Republic in France, and the President of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun's European Office of Europe Gaspar Karapetyan.
Speaking in front of the commission, Gaspar Karapetyan stressed the most important issues of the crisis, which it is necessary to include in the upcoming resolutions. He stressed that the Alma-Ata Declaration may not be a legal basis for Azerbaijan's territorial claims, emphasizing that it has no legal force. Gaspar Karapetyan stressed that the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is based on the Law on April 3, 1990 of the USSR, "On Regulation of Issues related to the Mining Republics."
Karapetyan added that the legal force of Alma Ata was based on the adoption of the CIS protocols, the ratification of which included a special wording about the fact that Nagorno Karabakh should not be under the Azerbaijani authority.
This emphasizes the right to self-determination of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh, proving that even at the time of signing the Alma-Ata protocols, Nagorno Karabakh was not under the direct control of Azerbaijan. This circumstance should take into account
Take a possible discussion of the possible peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Karapetyan criticized the position of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on this issue, noting that the numerous concessions he adopted strengthened Azerbaijan's demands and contributed to the growth of tensions. He also informed the members of the commission on the preconditions that Azerbaijan imposes Armenia, despite the statement on the signing of the peace agreement between the two countries.
Among the unacceptable requirements are: • Disarmament of the Armenian Army:
Karapetyan stressed that these concessions are an existential threat to Armenia's sovereignty and independence, showing that Baku is not going to establish fair peace and reduce tensions.
The chairman of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun's Armenian National Committee of America (ANC) has demanded that the Commission take into account these important points and call on the Belgian government to put pressure on Azerbaijani officials to stop the threats against Armenia.
Referring to the topic, he stressed. "Yes, we want peace, but it is necessary for the international community to act as a guarantor, which will follow the agreement and its implementation on both sides."
In addition, Karapetyan reaffirmed the need to protect the cultural, religious and civil infrastructure of the native Armenians of Artsakh so that they would not be destroyed by Azerbaijan, which is trying to eliminate all traces of the Armenian presence. He also raised the gross violations of the rights of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages by Azerbaijan, demanding their immediate release.
Karapetyan called on the Commission to ask the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to raise these issues in the Council of Foreign Affairs of the European Union.
The President of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun's Armenian National Committee of America also stressed the fundamental right to the people of Nagorno Karabakh, the lands of their ancestors with the guarantees of international defense. He also noted that the Artsakh National Assembly has established a special commission for the implementation of the right return.
Karapetyan praised the recent decision in Switzerland, which obliges the Swiss government to initiate an open dialogue between the representatives of Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh.
According to Karapetyan, he criticized the decision of the Armenian Prime Minister to close the Nagorno Karabakh issue in the Republic of Armenia, while foreign countries support the fundamental rights of the Artsakh people.
On behalf of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun's Armenian National Committee of Europe and Europeans for Artsakh, Karapetyan also noted that the demand for the outcome of the EU observation mission is unacceptable, and its mandate must be protected and encouraged by Belgium.
After Gaspar Karapetyan's speech, many deputies asked questions about the issue of Armenian refugees displaced from Nagorno Karabakh, emphasizing that it is necessary to increase humanitarian aid provided by the EU and Belgium.
The deputies also clarified what conditions refugees could return to Nagorno Karabakh.
The voting of the draft resolution is planned to be held in the Belgian Federal Parliament, in late May.
ARF Bureau Central Committee of the Armenian Cause
03 April 2025
