The First Condition for Sitting at the Table is the Dissolution of the Defense Army: Arayik Harutyunyan

“The situation is relatively stable; there are, of course, gunshots at the border, but very few. We must be prepared for all scenarios,” said President Arayik Harutyunyan during a session of the Artsakh National Assembly today. He also noted that it is important to understand that there are issues, deprivations, and problems, but they are surmountable.

“We have gone through tougher times and have overcome them; it depends on the level of our resilience. I classify as panic-inducers those who highly praise 'Coca-Cola', as that is the subject of their discussions in terms of evaluating the government: They say different things—this product is scarce, that product is abundant. Regardless, whatever products we bring, it will last for 10 days, or 20 days, or less. Friends, this is not a struggle for 10 days, 20 days, or 2 months; we must appreciate the seriousness of the moment. Perhaps we haven’t stockpiled one type of product sufficiently, but enough work has been done to ensure that the country is not faced with famine. We have immense resources, and our local production will allow us to sustain a long-term struggle without succumbing to these pressures,” said Harutyunyan.

The President of Artsakh mentioned that Baku is discussing a single topic—integration.

“I have tried for two years; if anyone thinks I have been a poor negotiator, I haven’t negotiated in the final stage. Those negotiations do not yield results because they come and say—this is our agenda. Azerbaijan tells us that the first condition for sitting at the table is the dissolution of the Defense Army. We must dissolve it and then go for a meeting. I openly say that we go and announce that we are dissolving the army, dissolving the system of state governance, after which they will supply gas, electricity, and will allow us to travel as citizens of Azerbaijan,” highlighted the leader of Artsakh.