It Is a Fact: Armenia Has Never Recognized the Republic of Artsakh, Ararat Mirzoyan

The fundamental principle of mutual recognition of territorial integrity between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been clearly stated throughout all phases of the negotiation process regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This was announced by Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan during a session of the National Assembly, addressing criticism that the authorities are using the document concerning the resolution of the Karabakh issue to conceal the fact that in 2022, Nagorno-Karabakh was recognized as part of Azerbaijan during the Prague meeting.

“I must state a fact that is widely known on one side, yet relevant officials have persistently avoided admitting on the other side—probably to prevent any discontent,” Mirzoyan said. “The fact is as follows: The Republic of Armenia has never recognized the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. Almost simultaneously with the dissolution of the USSR, through the signing of the Alma-Ata Declaration, Armenia recognized Azerbaijan's territorial integrity within the borders that existed at the moment of the USSR's collapse.”

He added that the fundamental principle of mutual recognition of territorial integrity has been clearly expressed in all significant documents concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict negotiation process from the very beginning, including the Madrid Principles. One of the Madrid Principles indeed pertained to territorial integrity, whereas the right to self-determination was understood within the framework of territorial integrity.

Mirzoyan noted that the principle of recognition of territorial integrity consistent with the Alma-Ata Declaration is also expressed in later negotiation documents, in statements resulting from meetings held in various formats, including the quadrilateral statement from the Prague meeting in 2022. This same principle is also reflected in the regulations that came into force on August 30, 2024, related to the work of the delimitation commissions of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“This same principle is also articulated in the agreed text of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” the minister concluded his remarks.