Araik Harutyunyan Announces His Resignation

The President of the Republic of Artsakh, Araik Harutyunyan, has announced his resignation in a public address. He stated: “Dear compatriots, I assumed the powers of the President of the Republic of Artsakh after being elected by the people on May 21, 2020. From the very next day, I commenced efforts to strengthen Artsakh's defense and ensure the inviolability of its borders. Unfortunately, just four months later, Azerbaijan unleashed a 44-day war, which ended in our defeat. Of course, it is possible to place the entire blame for the defeat on the four-month president of Artsakh, and I do not shy away from responsibility, but believe me, each of us bore a share of responsibility, each according to his status and capabilities. In any case, I have stated several times and now publicly apologize to the Armenian people for my part in the guilt, but again assure you that during the 44-day war in 2020, I took all steps within the bounds of my strength and actual authority, perhaps even more.

I assure you that the situation was no less complicated after the 44-day war, and the circumstances required no less responsibility. Artsakh was on the brink of destruction, and there was an extreme necessity to ensure internal stability and resilience. It seemed that the post-war psychological pressure and psycho-physiological burden should have overwhelmed me, but I found the strength to take responsibility even then. Throughout this time, I directed all my potential toward strengthening internal stability in Artsakh, preventing the anticipated rise in crime under those conditions, ensuring the repatriation of Artsakh residents, and maintaining the constitutional order and pillars of statehood.

Yes, we have not succeeded in some matters, but overall, in the shortest possible time, we not only straightened the nation's broken back but also returned life to a certain stable course. Perhaps this is also why Azerbaijan, which is prepared to destroy us at any cost, began the blockade of Artsakh on December 12, 2022, and since June 15, 2023, a complete siege has been enforced. This also happened because, despite the daily provocations and brutal oppression against the people of Artsakh, our people continued their sacred work of revitalizing Artsakh.

For nearly nine months, Artsakh has been under Azerbaijani blockade, and its captive population is subjected to blatant genocide. During this time, we have taken all possible measures within our capabilities to present the situation to the world and gain the support of the international community. The issue has been discussed twice in the UN Security Council, and the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights have issued decisions regarding the unblocking of Artsakh. Numerous statements and appeals have come from hundreds of international entities. However, Azerbaijani aggressive behavior has not been curbed in any way.

Today, the geopolitical instability in the world, regional events, and anticipated developments, the phenomena taking place in and around Artsakh, and the internal political and social atmosphere in Artsakh directly indicate the need for a change in approaches and actions, a demonstration of flexibility. To achieve this, a change in the main actors is necessary in Artsakh, starting with myself.

My biography and Azerbaijan’s attitude toward it artificially create a number of conditions that pose significant challenges for shaping our future steps and conducting flexible policy. Moreover, the defeat in the war and the difficulties that ensued have significantly reduced trust in the authorities, particularly toward the President, which has seriously hindered the further course of proper governance. Therefore, the change must start with me.

Tomorrow, I will submit my resignation from the office of the President of the Republic of Artsakh to the people of Artsakh and the National Assembly. I made this final decision two days ago, considering my contacts with all internal and external actors and the broader public in recent weeks. This decision is a reasoned one based solely on my analysis of the data I possess.

Before that, by my decree today, the State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, Gurgen Nersisyan, has been relieved of his duties, and State Minister has been appointed Samvel Shahramanyan, the Secretary of the Security Council, who has been granted broad powers. In choosing Samvel Shahramanyan, I considered his principled stance, flexibility, experience in various responsible positions, and accumulated knowledge directly related to both national security and public administration.

I express my gratitude to Gurgen Nersisyan and want to emphasize that the significance of his work during the 44-day war, in the following period, and during the blockade is invaluable for the state. He assumed the office of State Minister during the most difficult times for Artsakh, and his tireless and transparent work during those conditions has helped alleviate the heavy burden on the people of Artsakh, and his character of fighting, persistently and bravely moving forward has allowed him to overcome numerous challenges. I am confident that his knowledge and principled, just, uncompromising, and steadfast nature will continue to serve Artsakh and our people.

Dear compatriots, I will continue to live in Artsakh with my family members who are there, and will primarily engage in ensuring the security of Artsakh, continue to bear my share of responsibility for the future of Artsakh and support the current authorities of the country. My step is also aimed at ensuring internal stability and a strong public order in Artsakh. Despite all difficulties, our internal stability and public solidarity are the prerequisites for all successes, any deviation or attempt to deviate from which must be excluded. Peace, prosperity, and eternity to the land of Artsakh and the Armenian nation.”