VIDEO: Artsakh has never been and will never be part of Azerbaijan: That is the will of our people, says Artsakh President

Artsakh Republic President Araik Harutyunyan has addressed the existing external and internal challenges.

“Dear compatriots, for 163 days, Artsakh has been living under deepening Azerbaijani criminal blockade. There are continuously changing events around us that directly or indirectly affect the region and, particularly, the Artsakh Republic and our people. Despite the created situation and the daily escalating challenges, the people of Artsakh are struggling on their own land for their collective rights and freedoms, continuing the holy work of their ancestors.

The risks attributable to the blockade and other external factors are compounded by the sharpening of internal issues and political instability within Artsakh. In the broader region and in the process aimed at normalizing inter-state relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, there are new developments that significantly deepen the challenges and existential threats facing Artsakh.

These fateful developments prompted me to speak with the citizens of Artsakh and the entire Armenian people in the form of a message.

In the current external political and security environment, there are several factors that directly influence the present and future of the people of Artsakh. I would like to highlight the following:

• Artsakh’s blockade lasting over five months, with progressively escalating humanitarian and political challenges and security threats.
• The continuous deterioration of the humanitarian situation and increased risks due to the ongoing disruption of essential infrastructure in Artsakh.
• The ongoing rise of risks for new military aggression by Azerbaijan towards Artsakh, and the blatant aspirations for ethnic cleansing.
• The serious breach of the Russian guarantees for the security of the people of Artsakh established by the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020.
• The increase in geopolitical tensions and aggressiveness from Azerbaijan due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• The ongoing weakening of the international legal order and the failure of the international community to ensure the security and fundamental rights of the people of Artsakh, as well as the enforcement of international court decisions.
• The continued weakening of Armenia’s positions in the process of normalizing relations with Azerbaijan and steps aimed at recognizing Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan.

Considering the above and other significant factors, I appeal to:

• The compatriots of Artsakh not to lose heart and be prepared for the continuation of the struggle, setting aside internal disagreements and decisively serving the common goal of strengthening and developing Artsakh as one unit. I am glad that there is a complete unified approach to this issue in Artsakh.
• While welcoming the statement made by the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh regarding the thoughts expressed by Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan yesterday, I emphasize that any statement or document ignoring the sovereignty of the Republic of Artsakh and the right of our people to self-determination and its realization is unacceptable to us. Artsakh has never been and will never be part of Azerbaijan, as that is the will of our people, which has sufficient determination to fight for its rights and interests.
• I am confident that the struggler is not alone, and it will not only be the entire Armenian nation supporting our struggle but also like-minded supporters will be found in the international arena.
• Yes, the situation is severe, but it is not hopeless, and the authorities of Artsakh will make and will continue to make practical steps to confront external and internal challenges.

To the people of Armenia: actively and decisively prove that Artsakh cannot be recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and continue to stand firm for this vital piece of the Armenian homeland. After all, Artsakh is the homeland of all Armenians, with its unique significance for both Armenian statehood and the Armenian nation.

The people of Armenia are the owners of the Republic of Armenia, and they alone must decide such national and vital issues.

To our compatriots in the diaspora: shed the feelings of disappointment, helplessness, and indifference, and demand practical actions from the governments of the countries of your citizenship and from the Republic of Armenia to ensure the right to self-determination and security for Artsakh. We expect every Armenian individual and organization in the diaspora to undertake all possible measures to support Artsakh and to restrain Azerbaijani criminal actions. The diaspora has immense untapped potential capable of achieving serious successes in matters of catastrophic importance for the Homeland.

To the authorities of the Republic of Armenia: refrain from any actions and declarations recognizing Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan, remaining loyal to the commitments undertaken by domestic and international documents and to national aspirations and interests.

Recognizing the vulnerable state of the Republic of Armenia in the post-war period, we have approached various developments with understanding and have consciously borne many sacrifices to neutralize all attempts to impose concessions on the Republic of Armenia through pressure. However, there are clear principles and red lines, the violation of which we consider unacceptable and impermissible. Recognizing Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan is one of those red lines, which, we are confident, remains so for the overwhelming majority of the Armenian nation.

In relation to actions and positions concerning Artsakh, the main guideline for the Republic of Armenia must be the expression of will from the people of Artsakh, which has been unambiguously manifested through independence and constitutional referendums—with the unconditional support of the Republic of Armenia and the entire Armenian people.

The normalization of inter-state relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot occur in a logic completely detached from the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and at the expense of the vital rights and interests of the people of Artsakh, which, incidentally, constitute an inseparable and crucial part of the vital rights and interests of the entire Armenian nation.

To the authorities of the Russian Federation and personally to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin: fulfill the obligations undertaken by the trilateral declaration of November 9 by opening the Lachin (Kashatagh) corridor, removing all Azerbaijani obstacles, and freeing the 120,000 inhabitants of Artsakh from terrorist captivity and preventing Azerbaijani aggressive actions against the people of Artsakh. Regardless of the actions of the other parties to the trilateral declaration, Russia has taken on clear obligations, which have been a serious basis for ensuring the return of the people of Artsakh after the war. Therefore, we expect unwavering and decisive fulfillment of these obligations for the sake of the people of Artsakh and the interests of the Russian Federation, as well as the age-old friendship between the Armenian and Russian peoples.

To the people and authorities of Azerbaijan: cease the hatred and genocidal policies against the people of Artsakh, be ready to genuinely accept the principle of equal rights of nations and the titles and rights of the indigenous Armenian people in Artsakh.

We are ready for dialogue in an international format for conflict resolution and peace, but based on the norms and principles of international law, especially the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, the non-use of force and the threat of force, peaceful resolution of disputes, and territorial integrity principles.

We pose no threat to Azerbaijan; on the other hand, the people of Artsakh have the right to self-defense, and the Republic of Artsakh has the obligation to protect its people.

Despite the constant threats from Azerbaijan, I am confident that the creation of a peaceful and dignified environment and the end of centuries-old enmity align with the interests and aspirations of our peoples.

To all actors of the international community, and especially to the UN Security Council: ensure the proper implementation of the decision of the International Court of Justice of the UN dated February 22, 2023, by Azerbaijan, as well as ensure the security of the people of Artsakh through necessary mechanisms in accordance with the principles and objectives of the UN.

The governance of the Republic of Artsakh can be carried out exclusively through the bodies established by the Constitution of the Republic of Artsakh.

I am ready to cooperate with all parliamentary and extra-parliamentary forces that have views, ideas, and proposals regarding the internal and external policy of the state. The main institutional platform for this cooperation is the Security Council, where, as before, I can invite representatives of all forces without exception.

In such a profoundly crisis-ridden environment, I am halting all discussions surrounding the organization of extraordinary presidential and parliamentary elections, as well as the exchanges of thoughts regarding the confidence referendum proposed by the chairman of the National Assembly in recent days. I urge an end to such internal political processes that could jeopardize the stability of our country's internal affairs, reshaping camps, which is unacceptable in today’s conditions.

At the same time, I reaffirm my public promise made back in December 2020 to resign under the first favorable conditions and organize presidential and parliamentary extraordinary elections in which I will not participate.

I will restrict the freedom of gatherings. I consider it unacceptable, especially in such conditions of danger, for any political force or group, without political balancing, without fully assessing the consequences for the people of Artsakh and our nation’s interests, to undertake actions directed against significant actors for Artsakh’s security.

State bodies operate unfettered, guided solely by the interests of the people of the Republic of Artsakh, and are prepared to assume this responsibility in case there is a necessity for such statements or calls.

To the law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Artsakh, particularly the National Security Service and the Police, I instruct them to intensify efforts aimed at maintaining public safety and respond appropriately to any violations, holding accountable those who commit violations. Internal discipline must be an inseparable part of everyone’s behavior, for which the law enforcement agencies bear the responsibility.

In relation to all of the above, I declare the following: