Artsakh is not only an issue for Artsakh residents but for all 10 million Armenians, says Ruben Vardanyan

The results of the first day’s voting indicate that Artsakh is not just an issue for the residents of Artsakh or even for Armenians living in Armenia, but for all 10 million Armenians. This is the opinion of the majority of participants and experts at the conference titled ‘Future Armenian’. Ruben Vardanyan, the former Prime Minister of Artsakh, shared this on his Facebook page.

“Last week, the first Pan-Armenian Civil Congress was held in Yerevan. The 200 participants of the congress were selected through a transparent lottery and a representative selection method from thousands of compatriots registered in advance from Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora, according to gender, age, educational, and residential indicators. Unfortunately, some of the selected participants were unable to attend in person due to the ongoing crisis in Artsakh. They had the opportunity to discuss three of the fifteen goals of the FUTURE ARMENIAN initiative: ‘Historical Responsibility’, ‘Unity of Armenia and the Diaspora’, and ‘Population Growth’.

During the three-day discussions, the participants of the congress shared more than 2,000 observations and concerns, presented dozens of program proposals, and prioritized their implementation through voting.

Thus, ‘FUTURE ARMENIAN’ created a platform where various representatives of the global Armenian community examined, discussed, and selected expert evaluations of past scenarios and programs, collectively defining their vision for the future. Each day of the congress concluded with votes on proposals and initiatives.

According to the results of the first day's voting, Artsakh is not just an issue for the residents of Artsakh, not just for Armenians living in Armenia, but for all 10 million Armenians. This view is shared by most participants and experts at the ‘Future Armenian’ conference. The question is whether our compatriots in Artsakh feel this force and support, and see that despite the blockade, Armenians in Armenia and the Diaspora stand with them.

More than 90 days of blockade have clearly shown that the situation in Artsakh concerns not only Armenians. We have seen many people from different nationalities living in various parts of the world attempting to support Artsakh. It is very important that this support takes tangible form, becoming concrete actions and projects.

It is incorrect to separate and say, ‘this one is from Artsakh, this one is from Armenia, this one is from Lebanese Armenians.’ In this situation, we are all Artsakh residents because the blockade affects not just 120,000 people but our Armenian spirit, our very existence, and our national dignity. One of the most important questions before us is how to preserve the Armenian DNA. This is a historical and decisive moment for us. It is encouraging that this opinion prevailed during the discussion, but on the other hand, daily practical steps are necessary. Everything must be done in the Diaspora, Armenia, and Artsakh to realize this model of collaboration not just in words, but in deed,” he wrote.