Negotiated Discussions with Azerbaijan Are Ongoing: Metakse Hakobyan

“The priority is the salvation of the civilian population. Now is the time to establish dialogue with the Azerbaijani side. Negotiated discussions are ongoing with them,” said Metakse Hakobyan, a Member of Parliament from Artsakh, in an interview with Azatutyun.

She also noted that there is currently no evacuation in Stepanakert: “There are villages from which people have already been evacuated, including from Martakert, Martuni, and Askeran.”

It is worth mentioning that on September 20, the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Samvel Shahramanyan, convened an expanded meeting of the Security Council, during which the situation created by Azerbaijan's unleashed war against Artsakh, possible developments, and actions taken by the Republic of Artsakh in this context were discussed. Former presidents of Artsakh also participated in the Security Council meeting.

The country’s leader stated that the response of international actors to the situation in Artsakh and its resolution is inadequate, and no practical steps are being taken. Consequently, Artsakh will be compelled to take appropriate measures with the primary goal of ensuring the physical safety of the population.

The Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, Anahit Manasyan, also released a statement indicating that since September 19, Azerbaijani armed forces have been shelling civilian settlements in Artsakh, targeting the civilian population and infrastructure such as residential buildings and schools.

The Azerbaijani armed forces are using heavy artillery against the civilian population, including large-caliber weapons. According to the information registered by the Human Rights Defender’s office, there are currently 32 deaths and over 200 injured, including 7 dead (2 children) and 35 injured (13 children) among the civilian population.