Araik Harutyunyan: "The people and authorities of Artsakh will never and in no way accept any status within Azerbaijan"

President of the Republic of Artsakh Araik Harutyunyan addressed to the recent statements of Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan about the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and the concerns about them, especially among the Armenians of Artsakh.

Full recognition of the right of Armenians of Artsakh to self-determination is not subject to any reservations or concessions, and the Armenians of Artsakh are the exclusive master of the issue, Harutyunyan stressed, noting thus, only the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh have the right to speak on behalf of the people of Artsakh.

"The goal of international recognition of the independence of the Republic of Artsakh is our main guideline and no government can afford to deviate from it. Therefore, the people and authorities of Artsakh will never and in no way accept any status within Azerbaijan until our goal is achieved," Harutyunyan said.

According to the president, not only in terms of status, but also in terms of demography, there can be no return to the past. "What kind of coexistence is this if Azerbaijan continues to fuel its society with anti-Armenianism and prepares not for peace but for the expulsion of Armenians from Artsakh? Of course, we are for the peaceful resolution of the conflict and are ready to make efforts in this direction, but the vital rights, interests and demands of our people are not negotiable," he said.

As Harutyunyan noted, the territorial integrity of the Republic of Artsakh must be restored at least in the territories where the Republic of Artsakh was proclaimed in 1991. "Therefore, our occupied territories should be liberated and our compatriots should be able to return to their homes," the Artsakh leader stressed.

Touching upon Artsakh's security, the president stated that the republic's authorities will continue their efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Defense Army and the Russian peacekeeping forces should stay in Artsakh permanently and indefinitely until a final and fair settlement of the conflict and additional international security guarantees are provided.

"Without going into the details of the negotiation process in the past, we simply have to state that the moment has become much more responsible and decisive than ever. That's why we don't have the right for mistakes, otherwise these mistakes could be fatal for Artsakh and mother-Armenia", Araik Harutyunyan said, noting that if any Armenian wants to support Artsakh, he must consider the will and goals of Artsakh Armenians, otherwise he simply shouldn't interfere.

According to the President of the Republic of Artsakh, all authorities are temporary, but our goals and positions must be firmly and steadfastly adhered to. "Unity around our national values and goals is important, and as I said, the will and goals of the Armenians of Artsakh must be the guide of every Armenian and government in resolving the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict," he said.

"Artsakh has been and will remain Armenian for thousands of years, and the Armenians of Artsakh have enough will and strategic patience to continue this struggle. Regardless of anyone's will or opinion, I am confident that the Armenians of Artsakh will continue their just struggle for international recognition of Artsakh's independence and protection of the homeland," Araik Harutyunyan concluded.