The Key to the Security of the Armenian People Lies in Artsakh: Statement from the Artsakh National Assembly

The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh convened an extraordinary session today, adopting a statement which we present in full.

“The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, as the highest representative body granted a primary mandate by the people of Artsakh, expressing the opinions and positions of broad social and political circles, calls for the formation of a nationwide consolidation at the pan-Armenian level regarding issues pertaining to the fate of Artsakh.

We are convinced that the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh, with the full support of the Armenian communities in the Diaspora, can unite as one fist to face regional challenges, defending our national interests.

In this complex period of geopolitical realities, when Azerbaijan is attempting to undermine the Russian peacekeeping mission while continuing to periodically shell Armenian settlements, blow up gas pipelines, and intimidate the peaceful population living on their ancestral land, it continues to seize new territories. The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh reaffirms the will and determination of the people of Artsakh to uphold the right to live freely in their historical homeland, as outlined in the national liberation struggle that began in 1988.

Through the declaration of September 2, 1991, and subsequently through a nationwide referendum, the people of Artsakh established the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) in compliance with all international norms. Over the past 30 years, we have traversed through victories and failures.

As a result of the war imposed upon us on September 27, 2020, which lasted for 44 days, we suffered human and territorial losses. However, nothing and no one can deprive us of our right to self-determination and to govern our own fate.

Honoring the memory of all our martyrs in the struggle for existence, we reaffirm our loyalty and readiness to consistently pursue the processes for the international recognition of the Republic of Artsakh and the restoration of its territorial integrity.

Since the 44-day war of 2020, our security environment has fundamentally changed, and the fragile peace established in the region is maintained through the efforts of the Artsakh Defense Army and Russian peacekeeping forces.

As events from the past one and a half years have shown, our enemies continue their plan to depopulate Artsakh. In the current circumstances, the reaffirmation of Armenia's commitment to guarantee the security of Artsakh and the formation of an atmosphere of pan-Armenian unity can only create the necessary conditions to ensure the future of the Armenian people on their ancestral land.

Dear compatriots, the key to the existence of the Armenian statehood and the security of the Armenian people lies in Artsakh.”