Statements from Artsakh Regarding Pashinyan's Remarks

Statements that undermine the de facto status of the Republic of Artsakh are unacceptable. This message was conveyed by the five factions of the National Assembly of Artsakh.

The statement reads: "The factions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh reconfirm the emphasis of the RA National Assembly's decision from April 14, 2022, which states that 'no authority has the right to lower the negotiation standards regarding an unacceptable status for Artsakh or the internationally recognized right to self-determination under the pretext of 'peace.'

The people of Artsakh have made their decision regarding self-determination and have de facto realized it in their historical homeland for more than three decades, consistently adhering to the principles of international law and the legislation of the former Soviet Union, guided solely by the principles of democracy. The right to self-determination of Artsakh is non-negotiable.

Despite the efforts of the international community aimed at establishing sustainable peace in the region, the recent threatening statements from the Azerbaijani leader demonstrate that the military-political leadership of that country, disregarding the calls and resolutions of reputable international organizations, is striving to achieve its main goal through genocidal actions: the complete depopulation of Artsakh.

We consider unacceptable the viewpoint expressed by the Prime Minister of Armenia during the National Assembly session on April 18, which asserts that Armenia fully recognizes Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, attempting to justify this with one point of the Madrid working document and agreements reached during the notable meetings in Prague and Sochi in October 2022, as well as invoking the declaration of Alma-Ata from December 21, 1991, ignoring that the Republic of Armenia accepted that document with fundamental reservations regarding the status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In fact, official circles of Armenia are separating the issue of ensuring the security of the people of Artsakh from their right to self-determination, overlooking the critical importance of this right, which, in reality, aligns with the official position of Baku, thereby contributing to the intensification of Azerbaijan's manifest and growing ambitions regarding the territories of Artsakh and Armenia.

On behalf of the people of the Republic of Artsakh, we appeal to the authorities of the Republic of Armenia, urging them once again not to deviate from the direction of the Supreme Council's decision of July 8, 1992, while also drawing attention to the foreseeable prospect that the threat hanging over the statehood of Artsakh is a devastating threat to the statehood of Armenia as well.

To the global Armenian community: Considering that the Republic of Artsakh has been under blockade for around 130 days, we call upon you to unite and decisively mobilize our national potential to support our people's unwavering struggle.

To the Russian Federation: We urge you to take additional diplomatic and military-political measures during this crucial peacekeeping mission for us, decisively preventing any threats to the ongoing security of the people of Artsakh, regardless of current geopolitical developments.

To the international community: Do not limit your response to mere expressions of sympathy regarding the blockade of the more than 120,000 peaceful residents of the de facto established Republic of Artsakh by the Republic of Azerbaijan, and resort to practical measures enshrined in international legal norms.

To the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group: Regardless of possible disagreements among you, make efforts to resume negotiations in the only format with an international mandate for resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

Stepanakert, April 2023
"Free Homeland" faction
"United Homeland" faction
"Justice" faction
"Armenian Revolutionary Federation" faction
"Democratic Party of Artsakh" faction