| Turkish President Recep Erdoğan Intervenes in Armenia’s Internal Affairs Again, Urging the Armenian People to Rally Around Pashinyan: International Reactions to the “Tavush for the Motherland” Movement International Reactions to the “Tavush for the Motherland” MovementThe international reactions to the “Tavush for the Motherland” movement are beginning to increase in various capitals. The response from the world’s power centers is mostly indirect regarding the movement, yet the statements made provide an understanding of the capitals’ attitudes towards the movement. Support from Brussels and Washington for Armenia-Azerbaijan Demarcation ProcessFor instance, in recent days, Brussels and Washington have expressed support for the current process of demarcation and delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which not only unilaterally serves Azerbaijan’s interests but also contradicts Armenia’s constitution and the norms of international law. Moscow’s Stance on Armenia’s Internal AffairsMoscow considers the ongoing processes in Armenia as Armenia’s internal affairs and hints that the demarcation process should be acceptable to the peoples of both sides. Ankara’s Explicit Pro-Azerbaijan and Pro-Pashinyan MessagesMeanwhile, the responses from Ankara contain more explicit pro-Azerbaijan and pro-Pashinyan messages. Hulusi Kılıç’s Call for Armenian People to Rally Around PashinyanOn May 30, former Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Hulusi Kılıç “urged” the Armenian people to rally around Pashinyan, saying that the country’s former leaders have caused enormous damage to the Armenian people. President Erdoğan’s Statement at “EFES-2024” Military ExercisesDuring an event in Izmir as part of the “EFES-2024” military exercises, President Erdoğan, insulting the dignity of the Armenian people, stated, “Armenia will come closer to peace when it is freed from the slavery of foreign powers and the diaspora.” Threats to the “Tavush for the Motherland” MovementThese statements are firstly a threat to the “Tavush for the Motherland” movement, which opposes an unrealistic peace process with Azerbaijan based on unilateral concessions and prioritizes the restoration and development of relations with the diaspora to a new quality. Turkey’s Support for Pashinyan Regime’s Suppression of the MovementSecondly, they express Turkey’s support for the Pashinyan regime in suppressing the expanding movement with brutal police force and political persecution. Historical Context of Turkey’s Intervention in Armenia’s Domestic AffairsThis is not the first time Turkey has intervened in Armenia’s domestic political life to support Pashinyan. On February 25, 2021, when the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces demanded Pashinyan’s resignation, Erdoğan also expressed his support for Pashinyan, threatening active intervention to “prevent a military coup.” |
| Pashinyan Unable to Move Freely in Armenia Even with Thousands of Police Escorts: Movement “Tavush for the Motherland” Determines His Movements and Timing Protests Led by Archbishop Bagrat Block Government Building EntrancesOn May 30, protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat, the leader of the “Tavush for the Motherland” movement, blocked the entrances to the Armenian government building, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. They kept the government and thousands of police officers around the building in tension for several hours. Pashinyan’s Disguised Escape from the Government BuildingPashinyan managed to escape from the government building disguised, in a different vehicle, and through an entrance he doesn’t usually use. Only after his escape did the police, who also express dissatisfaction with the policy of unilateral concessions and humiliation in their interactions with the people, leave relieved and cheerful in buses. Protesters Halt Official Event at Sardarapat MemorialRecall that on May 28, protesters also prevented the scheduled official event on the 106th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia at the Sardarapat Memorial, where Pashinyan was supposed to give a speech. It is now evident that Pashinyan’s legitimacy is approaching zero, and under these circumstances, he cannot move even with the accompaniment of thousands of police officers. |
| Tavush for the Homeland Movement The “Tavush for the Homeland” movement began in Tavush, aiming to unite all of Armenia and its diaspora. The movement emerged as a response to the Armenian government’s unilateral concessions that lack justification and endanger Armenia’s security and territorial integrity under the pretext of border demarcation and delimitation processes. These recent processes, lacking legal foundation and security guarantees, are seen as yet another capitulatory step by the Armenian government. They infringe upon the rights of local residents and citizens more broadly, violate the Constitution and laws, and disregard OSCE and other internationally accepted demarcation norms, thereby creating additional security threats. The continuous imposition of unilateral concessions, psychological intimidation, and coercion upon the population starkly contrast with the pre-election promises made by the ruling party and enshrined in the current government’s program. Consequently, this government, based on deception and deep populism, has lost its legitimacy. Therefore, naturally, as a solution to the created problems and escalating threats, the Movement has put forward one primary demand: the immediate change of government in Armenia. The country must return to a state of normalcy, including in legal terms, through the application of international law. The logical order of processes must be restored. |
