Vanetsyan on Artsakh Elections

Tomorrow in our homeland, the Republic of Artsakh, presidential and parliamentary elections will take place. The people of Artsakh will form a government that must continue to elevate the country's security level and open new horizons for economic progress and citizen welfare, wrote former NSS director Arthur Vanetsyan on his Instagram page.

"I will not call for votes for any particular candidate or political force, even though I personally know many and have great respect for others. However, I consider it important to address several features of these elections. First, the Artsakh elections are occurring in one of the most complex environments on the globe. I urge to ensure the highest level of safety and sanitary precautions at polling stations to not endanger the health of those participating in the electoral process.

And second, I address all candidates, all political forces, and the people of Artsakh: Dear compatriots, the entire campaign mainly took place in an atmosphere of programmatic debate, political correctness, and mutual respect. My call and my request are to continue to maintain mutual respect, and under no circumstances allow internal division and enmity, regardless of the election results. It is the enemy's dream to see division and instability in Artsakh. I am confident that if we do not give that gift to the adversary, he has no chance of defeating us. Authorities and elections are transient and changeable. The interests of the state are constant. We are also responsible for future generations.

It is clear that the next president of Artsakh must pursue a path of broad consolidation and unite all the capable forces of Artsakh. This is the historical demand placed before the next authorities of Artsakh.

Dear Artsakh citizens, your election will be watched in Armenia, in the diaspora, and around the world. Everyone will undoubtedly respect your free choice. I am confident that Artsakh, Armenia, and the diaspora are unitedly capable of overcoming all challenges. The world is changing before our eyes; now is the time for bold ideas, sound programs, and united work. In this transforming reality, Artsakh will certainly find its place, becoming a more stable, developing, dynamic state capable of protecting its security and interests in the face of any challenge. God protect our people," Vanetsyan wrote.