National Assembly Adopts Statement

Today, the ruling and opposition forces in the National Assembly presented their positions, proposals, and actions in light of the wartime situation in the country.

However, the final statement was developed exclusively from the proposals of the "Civil Contract" faction, as stated by the member of the same faction, Vladimir Vardanyan, because a united decision with the opposition forces could not be reached.

“The ‘I Have Honor’ and ‘Armenia’ factions had presented separate packages of proposals. The proposal package from the ‘Armenia’ faction was either directly or indirectly unrelated to the actions unleashed yesterday, as I informed my colleagues. Some of the proposals from the ‘I Have Honor’ faction were partly related to the situation, and we were prepared to partially consider those proposals in the mentioned statement,” said Vardanyan.

He further emphasized that it was extremely important to have unity among all parliamentary factions today, which unfortunately was not achieved. “During lengthy discussions with the head of the ‘I Have Honor’ faction, Hayk Mamijanyan, it was not possible to agree on a package of proposals that would include some of those presented by them, as other parts were unacceptable,” Vardanyan added.

Vladimir Vardanyan, co-author of the draft statement, read the draft concerning the Azerbaijani attack in the National Assembly.

“On September 13, at 00:05, the armed forces of Azerbaijan opened intensive fire on the Armenian positions located in several sections along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border using artillery, mortars, and UAVs. In particular, the directions of Sotk, Vardenis, Goris, Kapan, Artanish, and Ishkhanasar were shelled. In this situation, we express our full support to the Armed Forces of Armenia in their sacred duty to protect the territorial integrity of Armenia and the authority of the Republic of Armenia.

We call on all political forces and all our compatriots, regardless of political positions, to remain calm and unite around statehood. Our homeland needs united and solid protection. We urge the international community to condemn the aggression unleashed by the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan against the Republic of Armenia in a strict and targeted manner, which grossly violates the principles of territorial integrity enshrined in the UN Charter and the prohibition of the threat of the use of force.

We expect the UN Security Council to immediately discuss the created situation and carry out actions stemming from it. We demand the CSTO to take immediate measures arising from the Collective Security Treaty aimed at preserving the territorial integrity of Armenia.

We appeal to the Russian Federation to promptly fulfill the obligations undertaken in the treaty on friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance between Armenia and Russia in defense of Armenia's territorial integrity,” Vardanyan stated.

The statement was adopted with a vote of 65 in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions.

It is noteworthy that the Armenian Ministry of Defense had issued a statement indicating that from September 13 at 00:05, the Azerbaijani armed forces began intensive fire towards Armenian positions in the directions of Goris, Sotk, and Jermuk using artillery and large-caliber firearms. The adversary is also using UAVs. There are casualties and injuries. During a Q&A session in the National Assembly, the Prime Minister stated that the confirmed number of casualties is 49. The Armenian government has already applied to the Russian Federation, the UN, and the CSTO regarding Azerbaijan's aggression.