Monday, October 31 2022 10:58

ArmInfo.A nation-wide rally took place in Stepanakert's Revival Square on October 30. The aim was to show that the Artsakh people does not see Artsakh as part of  Azerbaijan and request Russia to prolong and reinforce the peaking  mission on Artsakh. Along with the rally the Artsakh National  Assembly was holding a session, which adopted a joint statement. 

The statement reads: 

"The developments of the recent months, the statements and positions  of various power centers and international organizations related to  the prospects for the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict  and the future of Artsakh have caused serious concern in Artsakh and  the entire Armenian community.

"The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, expressing the  collective will of the people of Artsakh, considers it necessary to  fix and document the following for the world in this crucial period.

"Artsakh has never been and will never be part of independent  Azerbaijan. This very idea should be the basis for the settlement of  the Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict.  "Any attempt to forcibly annex  Artsakh to Azerbaijan would be a gross violation of international law  and an official license to commit another genocide against the  Armenian people, therefore any document with such a content is  unacceptable for the Republic of Artsakh.  "Reaffirming that the  Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity is among the key foundations of all  our successes and achievements, as well as of the state-building  process, the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh states as  follows:

"No authority in the Republic of Armenia has the right to refuse of  the mission to ensure the security of the people of Artsakh or to  accept any document questioning the existence of the sovereign  Republic of Artsakh. We urge the authorities of the Republic of  Armenia to defend the common interests of the two Armenian Republics  at international platforms, based on the existing fundamental  documents, in particular, the Declaration of Independence of the  Republic of Armenia and the historic decision of the Supreme Council  of July 8, 1992.

"We call on Armenians worldwide to continue to support Artsakh,  protect the rights and interests of Artsakh in various countries and  international instances, and by all means contribute to the process  of recognition of the Republic of Artsakh.

"The Republic of Artsakh is a supporter of stable peace and,  consequently, the steps aimed at signing a peace agreement, but the  authorities of the Republic of Armenia should approach the issue of  recognition of the territorial integrity of the Republic of  Azerbaijan with reservations, considering the fact that the  Azerbaijani-Karabagh conflict is not resolved yet.

"Any document or proposal questioning the sovereignty of the Republic  of Artsakh, our right to self- determination and the fact of its  realization is unacceptable for us, since it does not reflect the  historical and legal realities. The international community must  respect the demand of the Armenians of Artsakh, since it complies  with the fundamental principles and norms of international law.

"Taking into account Russia's historical role in ensuring peace and  stability in our region and, in particular, President Vladimir  Putin's direct and active participation in halting the 44-day war  imposed on us in 2020 by aggressor-Azerbaijan, we appeal to the  Russian Federation and ask to continue its commitment to ensure the  security of the people of Artsakh. For strengthening it, we propose  to introduce additional political and military mechanisms, taking  into account the real existential dangers threatening the Armenians  of Artsakh.

"Our struggle is continuous, and our position is unchanged; it  expresses the collective will of Armenians worldwide and fully  derives from the principles outlined in the April 14, 2022 statement  of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh."

Artsakh FM David Babayan addressed the attendees, saying: 

"We will not deviate from our path, Artsakh will never be part of  Azerbaijan.

"We consider unacceptable any attempts to annex democratic Artsakh by  dictatorial #Azerbaijan, and we reject any such proposals. We regard  this as a gross violation of universal human values and international  law, a violation of moral norms.

"Each of you now has a choice, either to go down in history as an  unworthy, coward, unpatriotic generation that failed to defend their  holy Motherland, or to go down in history as a principled,  courageous, patriotic, wise generation that fulfilled its biblical  mission and, despite all the difficulties, proved that it is  impossible break, insult, trample on the honor, history and values of  Artsakh and the Armenian people.

"I am sure that is the way it will be. I am sure, because we have  Yerablur, we have Tsitsernakaberd, we have Shoushi, we are  responsible to future generations and immortal heroes, and ultimately  we must answer to God."

Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan stated: 

"About 40,000 (33% of the entire population) of citizens from  Stepanakert and other districts have reaffirmed their will and  determination to be masters of their fate and defend their Homeland.  Artsakh has never been nor will it be part of Azerbaijan. We are  masters of our Homeland and we will continue struggle for our rights  and freedoms," Mr Beglaryan said. 

Armenia's former human rights defender Arman Tatoyan stated that  Azerbaijan has not any natural, legal or other relations with  Artsakh. 

"Self-determination is the natural right of the indigenous population  of Artsakh, an integral part of the Armenian people. Azerbaijan has  not any natural, legal or other relations with Artsakh. this is a  natural way of ensuring the rights and security if our brothers and  sisters in Artsakh," he wrote.