We Do Not Want Integration with Azerbaijan: Davit Babayan

Davit Babayan, an advisor to the President of Artsakh, has released a video on his page in which he discusses the following: "An interview with the Azerbaijani service of the famous British BBC company. We talked about the Azerbaijani-Karabakh settlement, the situation in the conflict zone, and the prospects for resolution.

The main and only obstacle to resolving the conflict is the high degree of anti-Armenian sentiment that has been elevated to the level of state ideology in Azerbaijan. Regarding the future of relations between Artsakh and Azerbaijan and the so-called integration, I emphasized the following: Integration assumes the following key components—equality of the parties and voluntariness. Another key point is the settlement of relations. We are in favor of equal relations with Azerbaijan. But what about Azerbaijan? Naturally, no. The first component does not work here anymore. As for voluntariness, we do not want integration with Azerbaijan; the people of Artsakh have never reconciled with the annexation to Azerbaijan from 1921 to 1988. Since 1988, we have been a sovereign, independent country. Yes, we are in favor of regulating relations with Azerbaijan, and this is the goal of settling the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict. We must at least be neutral neighbors.

Azerbaijan, on the contrary, is attempting to forcibly annex Artsakh, covering it with the terms 'integration' or 're-integration.' But this is nothing more than colonization. Artsakh is in a difficult situation, but we will fight for our deserving future.

I have also addressed the Azerbaijani society. We do not consider the people of this country, the ordinary citizens, as enemies. There are no good or bad people. But there are dangerous and bad state regimes. A person does not choose their race or nationality. Racial and ethnic hatred, in essence, is hatred towards God. One cannot live with hatred. In life, politics, and history, the principle of a boomerang operates. No crime ever goes unpunished; sooner or later, one must answer for it. Hatred and genocidal policies, even if imposed by the authorities on the people and society, become a collective sin that also implies collective responsibility."