MINSK, 26 January (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko warned Armenia against flirting with the European Union as he spoke to the media in Minsk on 26 January, BelTA has learned.
“They have started flirting with the EU. It is a most dangerous game. He needs to to rethink it. He will destroy Armenia. He is also turning Russia against himself. Armenia is an enclosed country. It is not a large country. The population is relatively small. He has made enemies all around him. Once the European Union starts helping him... He will destroy the country. That is why he must dial it back a bit. No war in the Caucasus should be allowed,” the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also spoke about the Armenian leadership taking issue with Belarus. “They took issue with me for supporting Azerbaijan. I have always supported common sense. I have always been against war, against us fighting each other,” he said.
The president recalled that at one time he actually performed a mediatory role between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, trying to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the territorial dispute. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev offered economic cooperation and investment. “Aliyev did not seek war with Armenia,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that he publicly voiced these proposals, including in Armenia, but they fell flat with the Armenian authorities.
“What happened is the fault of the Armenian leadership. Only their fault,” the president emphasized.
Moreover, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan himself chose to recognize Azerbaijan's territorial claims and made corresponding statements. “[Nikol] Pashinyan himself gave up on Nagorno-Karabakh. Although at that moment Ilham [Aliyev] was ready to agree to Armenia having serious influence in that territory. But here comes such a concession. Who wouldn't take advantage of it? What do I have to do with it? They [Armenian authorities] decided to point fingers at me, but you know who they actually wanted to hit,” the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also emphasized that he has always had a warm regard for Armenia and the people of that country.
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