If You Declare That Artsakh Will Not Be Part of Azerbaijan, You Lose the Right to Maneuver: Vahagn Khachatryan

President Vahagn Khachatryan gave an interview to Public Television. The President addressed the issue of the status of Artsakh. In response to the host's remark that 'the opposition holds such a thesis, that Artsakh will not be part of Azerbaijan,' the President replied: 'We must be realistic. If you declare this, you deprive yourself of the right to maneuver. We need to differentiate politics and diplomacy from populism and public rhetoric. We are not doing this; we are mixing everything together. And responsible individuals, those involved in the negotiation process, who are also responsible for our country, should not be deprived of that opportunity. The Prime Minister had the courage to speak openly about this, but what is wrong with that? Not everything needs to be said publicly. Now, whatever I have discussed in personal meetings, I do not present because I do not have an agreement with the person I spoke to that I should present it, and I do not have the right to do so. Moreover, I understand the importance of my words, speaking publicly about it, and the associated risks.

The difference is very significant, and our opposition knows this well. There are people within the opposition who have found themselves in such situations, and in this regard, their behavior, I don't want to comment on, but I can say it raises questions, let's put it this way, because there is indeed such a question: Are we all genuinely concerned about the issue of Artsakh? I accept that we all care deeply; I acknowledge that. Concern should be expressed through everyone doing their part and fulfilling their responsibilities. The opposition has a role to play, the government knows its responsibilities even more so, and society has its role to play.'