Azerbaijan Continues Aggressive, Anti-Armenian and Occupation Policies: Artsakh Foreign Ministry

The Artsakh Foreign Ministry has issued a statement in connection with the anniversary of Azerbaijan's unleashing of war against Artsakh on September 27, 2020. The full statement is as follows:

“One year ago, on September 27, Azerbaijan, with the direct participation and support of Turkey and international terrorist groups, unleashed a large-scale war against the Republic of Artsakh. During the 44 days of aggression, Azerbaijan used indiscriminate weapons prohibited by international conventions against the population of Artsakh, causing significant damage to the economic and civil infrastructure and the environment. Thousands of lives have been lost as a result of the war, and a large part of the territory of the Republic of Artsakh has been occupied. The aggression of the criminal tripartite alliance was only halted due to the deployment of the Russian peacekeeping mission in the region.

However, even after the cessation of hostilities, Azerbaijan continues its blatantly aggressive, anti-Armenian, and occupation policy at the state level, grossly violating all agreements, norms of international law, and principles of humanity.

To this day, many prisoners of war and hostages are being held in inhumane conditions in Azerbaijan, subjected to torture and degrading treatment. Systematic cultural genocide and destruction of Armenian historical heritage are taking place in the occupied territories of Artsakh. The ceasefire is regularly violated with the aim of depopulating Artsakh through psychological pressure and intimidation.

Today, more than ever, we are determined to strengthen and develop our independent and sovereign statehood and to independently determine our political future, excluding any status within Azerbaijan.

The foreign policy priorities of Artsakh continue to include the international recognition of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh, the preservation of geopolitical subjectivity, the de-occupation of Artsakh territories, the continuation of the negotiation process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group with full participation of Artsakh, and the development of relations with different countries and organizations.

The effective realization of all these goals is guaranteed by the strengthening of the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity and the conducting of a realistic and state-centered foreign policy.

On this sorrowful day, we are proud of the courage and heroism of the defenders of the homeland and pay tribute to the memory of the devoted individuals who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of Artsakh. Long live the Republic of Artsakh!”