We Made Every Effort to Prevent the Depopulation of Artsakh: Foreign Minister

“We truly made every effort to ensure that this depopulation did not happen,” stated Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. According to him, the government attempted to preserve the Armenian population in Artsakh in their historical homeland and ensure certain security guarantees.

“In response, you will recall how our efforts for the protection of the rights of the Artsakh people were criticized, even the formulations were condemned by you, as well as in Artsakh itself, what claims were expressed. At a time when we were calling for constructive negotiations, how were our calls labeled, and what ended up happening?” said Mirzoyan.

He reminded that Azerbaijan used military force, while the political elite of Artsakh, preoccupied with changing power, sent a new figure endowed with a few days of authority. “And he presented a decree on the dissolution of Artsakh. Do not direct the blame for the processes you chose onto us,” he emphasized, noting that this discussion is not just a moment, but has been ongoing for years.

“At the moment when the Armenian government was calling to work towards securing the rights of the Artsakh people, you criticized that policy, and your criticism was heard tenfold more in Stepanakert,” he stated, addressing Anna Grigoryan, a member of the “Armenia” faction.

“At the moment when we were calling to work on the protection of those rights, various resolutions regarding different areas were being adopted there, and then, all of a sudden, they went ahead and dissolved the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh. If you have questions and accusations, go and direct them at others,” Mirzoyan concluded.