"Any Status Within Azerbaijan is Unacceptable and Impossible, Because..." - Beglaryan

The Minister of State of the Republic of Artsakh, Artak Beglaryan, has made a statement, which we present below:

1. There are fundamental truths for the people and authorities of the Republic of Artsakh, particularly: The decisive issues pertaining to the future of Artsakh must primarily be determined by the Armenian people of Artsakh, where the role of the entire Armenian nation is also important, considering the unique significance of Artsakh for the Armenian people and Mother Armenia.

2. The Azerbaijan-Artsakh conflict must be resolved on the basis of the full realization and recognition of the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh, with the aim of achieving international recognition of independence.

3. Any status within Azerbaijan is unacceptable and impossible because:

• Artsakh is historically the homeland of the Armenian people, and through the distortion of history, Azerbaijanis cannot appropriate our homeland,
• The people of Artsakh have chosen to have a free and independent state, and we are the determiners of our fate,
• The age-old genocidal policies of Turkey and Azerbaijan against Armenians, especially the continuous and escalating anti-Armenian policies in recent decades, fundamentally exclude any status of Artsakh within Azerbaijan.

4. Our occupied territories must be returned, and displaced citizens must return to their homeland.

5. Artsakh and Mother Armenia must have a direct, reliable, and sovereign land connection with one another.

6. We are prepared to preserve and protect our values, attained at the cost of heavy sacrifices—statehood, national dignity, and the freedom to live and create in our homeland.

7. We also prefer and are ready for the peaceful and stable development of the region based on the principles of respecting the rights and dignity of all nations and states and excluding the use of force.