I Regret That There Are No Negotiations Between Armenia and Azerbaijan on Artsakh: Harutyunyan to France 24

During a working visit to France, the President of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, gave an interview to France 24, stating that the primary concern of the Artsakh authorities is to create conditions for the living, life, and work of 40,000 refugees. However, Azerbaijan is obstructing this in every way. As proof, he cited daily violations of the ceasefire and the recent incident in the Lachin corridor.

“The demand in the resolution adopted by the French National Assembly is that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh should be protected by international law, is that what you desire?” the reporter asked.

“Certainly, today the peace is guaranteed by the Russian peacekeeping mission deployed in Artsakh under the November 9, 2020, statement, whose mandate extends until 2025. However, there is a need to complement it with international guarantees, considering that the right to self-determination and independence are the only guarantees for the safety of the people of Artsakh,” replied Arayik Harutyunyan.

The journalist reminded that no country has recognized Nagorno-Karabakh, and President Harutyunyan is in France to presumably garner support from the country. “You have been received by French political circles, but not by the President of the Republic. Do you regret that?”

Arayik Harutyunyan first expressed gratitude to the French National Assembly for their unanimous vote. Since the 2020 war, French legislative authorities have adopted four resolutions demanding the recognition of Artsakh's independence. “I certainly regret that the executive branch of France, the President, has not accepted this; it would have been a step forward. But I hope that in the future such a meeting will be organized to assist us,” he noted.

In response to a question about Artsakh's participation in negotiations, the President of Artsakh expressed regret that no one is negotiating with Artsakh. “Azerbaijan refuses to engage in any negotiations with us. We have contacts with the Azerbaijani authorities on social and humanitarian issues, but never on status or future matters. I also regret that there are no international-level negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on Artsakh,” he stated.

The reporter asked the president if Artsakh would agree to autonomy within Azerbaijan. Arayik Harutyunyan replied that the people of Artsakh made their choice during the collapse of the USSR—this is independence, and this right is enshrined in the Constitution of Artsakh. “Artsakh has no future within Azerbaijan; we are ready for normal neighbors, but the status of independence is not a subject of negotiation,” emphasized Arayik Harutyunyan.

“And why not reunification with Armenia?” the journalist inquired. “Reunification with Armenia is the dream of every Armenian and Artsakh resident, but from the perspective of international law, it is not possible,” stated Arayik Harutyunyan.