False Agenda: Kocharian Wanted to Cede Meghri While Also Building a Gas Pipeline, Says Meghri Mayor

The newspaper "Hraparak" interviewed Meghri Mayor Mikitar Zakaryan about the current situation in Meghri and the sentiments of its residents following the recent war.

“The situation is not much different from other regions in Armenia, but the uncertainty surrounding the corridor and the statements from Aliyev and Erdogan create a vacuum, leading to various interpretations. On one side, people come from different media outlets, like from 'Azatutyun' and others whose names I can’t recall, selecting locals who say they are fine with trade. But I want to assure you that the majority, especially considering the wounds from the last war, do not wish for any friendly relations with our enemies,” he stated.

Zakaryan explained that the region has changed, as it now borders both Azerbaijan and Iran. GPS issues were resolved with the help of Russian border guards through negotiations with the Azerbaijanis.

When asked about the governor’s involvement in local issues, he remarked, “I don’t know; he has never visited Nrnadzor. Although we respect him as a person, in my opinion, he doesn’t grasp the relationship between local self-governance and territorial management.”

Regarding the potential for a corridor through Meghri, the mayor mentioned that there is current work being done; Russian border guards have submitted requests to build block posts at two boundary points—Nakhchivan and Azerbaijan.

In response to a question about the road section 21 km of the Goris-Kapan road being internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, Zakaryan advised those concerned to study the laws regarding state borders and territorial divisions to clarify the legal standing.

He expressed skepticism about rumors that former President Robert Kocharian intended to give Meghri away, stating, “If he really wanted to hand over Meghri, he would have done so, especially when we had 160 km of liberated territories. Just giving away Meghri wouldn't solve the larger issues.” He labeled discussions about this as a false agenda spurred by years of propaganda.

Finally, addressing safety concerns regarding the Goris-Kapan route, Zakaryan acknowledged that while the road was in poor condition, psychological issues were also a factor, affecting the local population's perceptions.