Araik Harutyunyan Does Not Demand Resignation from Onik Gasparyan, Press Secretary

The press secretary of the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Lusine Avanesyan, commented in an interview with Artsakhpress regarding certain publications about Araik Harutyunyan's mediation efforts in Yerevan, noting that he has had meetings with both Nikol Pashinyan and Onik Gasparyan.

In the statement, it is specifically mentioned: "The information regarding President Araik Harutyunyan's meetings suggesting that he is 'demanding' the resignation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Onik Gasparyan, is entirely untrue. In line with his previously announced readiness for mediation, President Harutyunyan has met with both Nikol Pashinyan and Onik Gasparyan, discussing various issues related to overcoming the existing situation, based on the priorities of internal stability and external security of Armenia and Artsakh. During the meeting with Onik Gasparyan, the issue of resignation was not discussed at all, and there can be no talk of any pressure.

As for the format of the meeting, not only the Director of the National Security Service of Armenia, Armen Abazyan, participated, but also the Secretary of the Security Council of Artsakh, Vitaly Balasanyan, and another official. The President, as he has stated, continues to maintain neutrality regarding the internal political developments of Armenia, and his mediation efforts are aimed at overcoming the crisis through constitutional, peaceful, and civilized means. Especially in the current conditions, instability, bloodshed, and hatred will lead our Homeland down a path of destruction.