The Civil Contract Adopts a New Vision for Resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh Issue

The Civil Contract party has adopted a new vision regarding the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Previously, the priority was viewed as the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, which was to guarantee the rights and security of the Armenian population in Artsakh. Now, the priority lies in the security and rights of the Artsakh Armenians, from which the necessary status derives.

This statement was made by Ruben Rubinyan, a member of the party's board and vice president of the National Assembly, at the 6th congress of the Civil Contract party.

“The war and its consequences have intensified Armenia's external security vulnerabilities. The unresolved status of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, pose a constant source of threat to Armenia's security. These threats must be managed and eliminated. We are convinced that ensuring the security of the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh is achieved through coexistence, that is, developing a formula of mutual non-exclusion with all neighboring countries, primarily with Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Georgia. Armenia should not be perceived as a source of threat by its neighbors, and the neighbors should not pose a threat to Armenia,” Rubinyan stated, assuring that achieving this goal is the party's foreign policy priority.

He added that enhancing the country's defense capability does not contradict this vision; rather, it is an integral part of it.

“Regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, the party is adopting a new vision for its resolution. Accordingly, if previously the priority was the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, which was to guarantee the rights and security of the Armenian population of Artsakh, now the emphasis is on the security and rights of the Artsakh Armenians, and the necessary status emerges from the system of guarantees for these rights. This system should ensure that the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh live in their homeland and identify themselves as Armenian, Karabakhian, or Artsakhian.

Any implementation of a resolution plan cannot be imagined without the appropriate involvement of Nagorno-Karabakh,” Rubinyan reiterated.

Rubinyan then presented the draft of the party's new program and its objectives. Based on these goals, the program identifies three priorities for the years 2021-2026: the establishment of comprehensive and lasting peace, the formation of a high-quality and accessible educational system, and the building of a professional and capable army.

“Peace, modern education, and a capable professional army are key factors in protecting Armenia's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity,” Rubinyan stated, assuring that the party will continue its efforts to become a strong political and institutional framework.

At the congress, both the new program and the new charter of the party were approved.