Statement Adopted on Behalf of the Unity Rally

Today in Yerevan, a statement was adopted on behalf of the unity rally, read by Gurgen Melikyan, a colonel in the Artsakh Defense Army and professor, who has been at the forefront of the Artsakh movement.

The statement reads: “We welcome the collective will of our sisters and brothers in Artsakh to continue their struggle. Artsakh cannot be part of Azerbaijan; this idea is the foundation of the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Armenia, and we will defend it at all costs.

The political course pursued by the current authorities of Armenia endangers the sovereignty of Armenia, territorial integrity, and the implementation of the provisions enshrined in the Republic of Armenia’s Declaration of Independence. It threatens the existence of Armenian Artsakh and the realization of the inalienable rights of the people of Artsakh, draws our country into geopolitical adventurism, damages our relations with allied and friendly countries, leads to new wars, losses, and capitulation.

Armenia should not find itself at the epicenter of a clash between Russia and the West. It is highly dangerous and unacceptable to base the resolution of the Karabakh conflict on external alignment policies. We are in favor of normalizing relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, but without preconditions, the use of force, or threats of its use.

The Turkish-Azerbaijani demand for the “Zangezur Corridor” has no legal basis. Azerbaijan must fulfill its obligations: return Armenian prisoners of war, release other detained persons, and withdraw its troops from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. Turkey should not speak to Armenia in the language of ultimatums.

Our primary objectives should be to ensure public solidarity, restore the army, guarantee the security of Armenia and Artsakh, and maintain the triad of Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora.

According to the decision of the Supreme Council of Armenia on July 8, 1992, any international or domestic document that mentions the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan is unacceptable for the Republic of Armenia.

We note that currently, crucial and fateful issues for us are being negotiated behind the backs of the Armenian people. The current authorities of Armenia, completely violating their own electoral promises and governmental program, are entering into agreements that jeopardize Armenia’s sovereignty and the existence of Artsakh. These negotiations contradict the principles of international law, as they are taking place under the threat and use of force by Azerbaijan.

We declare that the statements, promises, and agreements made by the current authorities of Armenia, either in writing or verbally, which violate the internal legal procedures of the Constitution of Armenia and the norms of international law, have no legal force and will be considered void immediately after an inevitable change of power.

In our opinion, Armenia must engage in new negotiations in international relations. We call upon the citizens of the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh, and the Armenian people, not to succumb to disappointment and pessimism, and to be prepared to fight for Armenia, for Artsakh, for the safe and prosperous future of our country.