Official Stepanakert's Position Remains Unchanged: Artsakh Will Never Be Part of Azerbaijan

One year ago, on November 9, 2020, a trilateral statement was signed, thanks to the active mediating efforts of the Russian Federation, by the President of Russia, the Prime Minister of Armenia, and the President of Azerbaijan. This agreement allowed for an end to the 44-day military aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, with the direct involvement of Turkey, international mercenaries, and terrorists from the Middle East. It also served as a basis for the entry of the Russian peacekeeping force into the territory of Artsakh, aiming to maintain peace in the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict zone. The trilateral statement holds significant importance in ensuring the conditions for the post-war recovery of the Republic of Artsakh, as noted in the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh.

“As a result of the 44-day devastating aggression, Azerbaijan has occupied a significant part of the territory of the Republic of Artsakh, including the historic and cultural center of Shushi. During the hostilities, the Azerbaijani army committed numerous war crimes, including the deliberate targeting of civilian objects, torture of prisoners of war and captured civilians, extrajudicial killings, ethnic cleansing, the intentional destruction of historical and cultural monuments and churches, and the targeting of settlements with indiscriminate weapons, which is prohibited by international law.

Even after the signing of the trilateral statement on November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan did not cease its internationally unlawful actions, particularly continuing aggressive actions, the capture of military personnel and civilians, carrying out deliberate killings, and the destruction of churches and, generally, Armenian cultural heritage in the occupied territories.

In this regard, it is necessary to emphasize that the situation created as a result of Azerbaijan's illegal use of military force, the gross violation of its international obligations, as well as systematic and massive violations of international humanitarian law and human rights norms cannot serve as a basis for the resolution of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict. It is known that norms of international law prohibit the recognition of any territorial conquest resulting from the threat or use of force. Moreover, the use of force cannot nullify one of the fundamental principles of international law—the equality of nations and self-determination, which is enshrined in the UN Charter and other fundamental international documents.

The official position of Stepanakert and the will of the people of Artsakh remain unchanged. Artsakh will never be part of Azerbaijan. The cornerstone for a comprehensive resolution of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and the establishment of sustainable and lasting peace in the region is the recognition of the inalienable right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and the de-occupation of the territories on which the Artsakh Armenians have asserted their self-determination, created an independent statehood, and developed it.”