Do Not Ever Speak to Us in the Language of Force, We Are Ready: Harutyunyan's Response to Aliyev

The President of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, addressed Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during a Facebook live stream, stating, “Do not ever speak to us in the language of force.” This response came in reaction to Aliyev’s recent remarks that the “factor of force is being prioritized in the world,” while the phased resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is on the negotiation table.

“Ilham Aliyev's recent statements do not befit a politician... Especially this statement: ‘The factor of force is being brought to the forefront in the world.’ What does it mean? Have you chosen the path of resolving issues through force? Mr. Aliyev, we are ready. I want to assure you that the results are clear for us. What you had in 1994, you will have today as well. Do not ever attempt to speak to us in the language of force,” said the President of Artsakh.

Harutyunyan also commented on Aliyev’s assertion that there is only one phased option for resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which “primarily involves the release of certain territories.”

“There can be a phased solution, provided that first the right to self-determination of Artsakh is recognized, security guarantees are accepted, and then negotiations begin. There will be no other option,” the President stated.