Any Mistake Can Be Fatal: President of Artsakh

Recently, without exaggeration, the attention of the entire Armenian nation has been focused on Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations. Proposals regarding key issues of settlement have been presented to the authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan by several power centers. This was stated by the President of Artsakh, Araik Harutyunyan, on his Facebook page.

“The proposed principles and approaches, if accepted and implemented, will be crucial for both the Republic of Artsakh and its people, as well as for Armenia and other countries in the region. For this reason, we have no right to make mistakes, as any error could have fatal consequences. We are convinced that proposals and principles that deny the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh, deprive the conflict of fair settlement prospects, and cast doubt on the existence of Artsakh must be categorically rejected. This is not only in the interests of the Republic of Artsakh but for the entire Armenian nation, since the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh constitute a single homeland and an inseparable whole of values and interests.”

He welcomed the announcement made by the Prime Minister of Armenia stating that Armenia had already agreed to work towards establishing interstate relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on the principles and parameters presented by Russia as early as the beginning of September this year, and is prepared to reaffirm this at the high-level meeting scheduled for October 31 in Sochi.

“Certainly, we would like to achieve a just and final resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as the international recognition of the independent status of the Republic of Artsakh as a result of the negotiation process. However, considering the existing challenges and limited opportunities, we believe that the Russian proposals largely meet the minimum criteria that allow for the assurance of Artsakh’s security and do not put its future in question,” he noted.

Harutyunyan expressed hope that the upcoming trilateral summit on October 31 would help strengthen those elements concerning the fate of Artsakh. “First of all, this pertains to the indefinite extension of the mission of the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in Artsakh. Their presence in Artsakh is vital, as since November 2020, a significant share of responsibility for the security of the Republic of Artsakh and its people has been borne by the Russian peacekeepers,” he stated. “Secondly, a key parameter is maintaining Artsakh's at least current status.

The statements made by the President of the Russian Federation during the Valdai International Discussion Club meeting inspire some hope that these goals are quite achievable. We expect that during the upcoming negotiations, the vital interests of the Republic of Artsakh will be fully protected, and primarily, the inalienable right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination,” Harutyunyan emphasized. “There is no alternative to international recognition of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and the results of its implementation.”

“We are confident that through joint efforts, we will prevent the legitimization of the consequences of the illegal use of force against the Republic of Artsakh by Azerbaijan and its allies, thereby creating conditions for the safe and prosperous future of our homeland and people,” he concluded.