Cause of protests in Armenia: Political analysts' opinion
The Armenian people came out to protest against the current government, as they fear new clashes with Azerbaijan after the border delimitation, according to Armenian political analysts Armen Hovhannisyan and Ruben Mehrabyan.
Protests in Armenia began after the Armenian authorities, including Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, decided to delimit the border with Azerbaijan. Yerevan agreed to maintain the border that existed in Soviet times.
Protest organizers believe that the delimitation is a concession to Azerbaijan. Mehrabyan disagrees.
“Now, about 200 square kilometers of our territory are under the control of Baku, and they have to return it. But this has not happened yet. The process of delimitation will take several years,” he said.
In his turn, Hovhannisyan said that in some cases the border may pass through someone's backyard or cut strategic roads to Georgia.
But, according to him, the main issue is that the people of Armenia do not believe Pashinyan that Azerbaijan will withdraw its troops from the border.
"It is obvious that the loss of Armenian heights and more favorable positions is beneficial for Azerbaijan in case of military confrontation. The population is convinced that confrontation will occur sooner or later, despite all the government's statements," he added.
Hovhannisyan clarified that the pro-Russian opposition played on such concerns.
Protests in Armenia
Large-scale protests have erupted in Armenia following the commencement of border delimitation with Azerbaijan last month.
Participants of the demonstrations are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, as he agreed to the delimitation.
