ArmInfo. The "empty words" about Artsakh uttered at Armenian Premier Nikol Pashinyan's year-end press conference are rather difficult - if not impossible - to comment on, Tevan Poghosyan, Head of the International Center for Human Development, told ArmInfo. "Just a piece of advice: it is only in bright light that one can speak of Artsakh. Otherwise, it is better to keep silent," he said.
"Pashinyan`s statements are unacceptable to me, as I believe Artsakh is not nor can it be bargained over. For us, for each Armenian, Artsakh is a precious part of our Homeland. It is a place where each inch is soaked in Armenian blood. And if we and our leaders have not so far realized this, it is better to keep silent than say what is being said. It is not only in Armenia that these unacceptable statements are being heard, and we must be well aware of the possible consequences," he said.
Mr Poghosyan prefers practical steps to mere statements. According to him the steps must involve entire Armenian society - from ordinary citizens to the political elite. And they by no means must reflect the Pashinyan-proposed agenda. In this context, the expert hopes that the crucial situation will be realized by at least the Artsakh authorities, with their preparing and implementing their own programme.
Mr Poghosyan once more stressed a need for Armenians to perceive Stepanakert as a city as important for Armenia as Yerevan. No ffort must be spared to increase the Artsakh population. And the Artsakh Parliament must adopt the Law on Occupation to settle the issues that arose after the 44-day aggression by Azerbaijan.
In its turn, Armenia should initiate processes aimed at recognition of Artsakh. Otherwise, Yervan will have nothing to speak at the negotiating table. Artsakh's role and value is in action rather than in talks. "Artsakh adopting the Law on Occupation must be accompanied by practical steps to enforce it. We must not wait for any foreign much less so domestic political impulses. Stepanakert must start talking with the Armenians worldwide. And I cannot understand why it was not done before or is not being done now," Mr Poghosyan said.