The Republican Party Calls on Authorities to Fully Fulfill Armenia's Security Guarantee Obligations for Artsakh

The Republican Party of Armenia has issued a statement following the meeting of its Executive Body, stating:

“Acknowledging that the closure of the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia and the outside world, the Kashatagh (Lachin) corridor, by Azerbaijani authorities since December 12, 2022, for more than a month is yet another manifestation of Azerbaijan's anti-Armenian policy and genocidal actions, and being deeply concerned about the increasingly noticeable humanitarian crisis in Artsakh and the severe consequences of deliberate disruptions to vital infrastructure, including communications and energy supply, we are convinced that the political actions unleashed by Azerbaijan are aimed at psychologically pressuring and displacing the population of Artsakh under the guise of false environmental initiatives.

Recognizing that the current situation is a consequence of the failure to implement the obligations undertaken by the signatories of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, we welcome the determination and readiness of the people of Artsakh to manage their own fate, to live freely outside Azerbaijani jurisdiction, and to exercise their internationally recognized right to self-determination. We condemn the passive stance of the de facto authorities of the Republic of Armenia and their political strategy of evading responsibility for the fate of the Armenian community of Artsakh. We emphasize the importance of the mission carried out by the Russian peacekeeping contingent, being deeply concerned about the reckless policies and harmful statements of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his administration that harm the security system of Armenia and its vital component, Armenian-Russian relations.

The Republican Party of Armenia expresses its unconditional support and political-civilian assistance to the people of Artsakh. Addressing our compatriots in Artsakh who are going through unspeakable hardships and deprivations these days, we want to emphasize that the Republican Party of Armenia, as a political force standing at the roots of Armenia's independence and the struggle for the liberation of Artsakh, unequivocally and consistently supports you in your struggle to realize the right to live freely, independently, and securely in your historical homeland. This struggle has been and remains the struggle of the entire Armenian nation, regardless of the stance and methods of the current authorities.

We assure you that we will not deviate from the path we adopted more than three decades ago, and we remain faithful to the letter and spirit of the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Armenia, which expresses the united will of the Armenian people, as well as the decision of the Supreme Council of Armenia dated July 8, 1992, which, among other significant provisions, stipulates that “any international or domestic document that states that the Republic of Artsakh is part of Azerbaijan is unacceptable for the Republic of Armenia.”

1. It is unacceptable to characterize geopolitical bargaining and the deliberate political gambles directed against the security systems of Armenia and Artsakh.

2. We express our gratitude to the Russian peacekeeping mission for its service, while emphasizing that we expect decisive decisions and concrete actions that arise from the situation to ensure the unconditional implementation of the provisions enshrined in the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020.

3. We are categorically against any agreements, whether written or oral, that ignore the prospects for the realization and international recognition of the self-determination right of the people of Artsakh.

4. We urge the de facto authorities of the Republic of Armenia to cease their adventurist policy of jeopardizing the interests of Armenia and Artsakh in the current geopolitical tensions among superpowers and serving various interests to maintain their own weak power.

5. We demand Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to publish all significant principled agreements and promises made on behalf of the people of Armenia and Artsakh since November 9, 2020.

6. We assure that we will continue our work with our international partners, providing full and objective information regarding the current situation and the issue of Artsakh while encouraging the condemnation of Azerbaijan's anti-Armenian policies in appropriate international institutions.

7. We demand that the current authorities fully implement the obligations of the Republic of Armenia as a security guarantor for Artsakh.

8. We deem it unacceptable to gradually dismantle or jeopardize the existing security mechanisms in Artsakh until the final resolution of the Artsakh issue.

9. We emphasize the need for the reactivation of the OSCE Minsk Group institution and more effective engagement of the co-chairing countries in resolving the current crisis.”