Any status of Artsakh within Azerbaijan unacceptable and impossible -  Artak Beglaryan

ArmInfo.Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan has stated the Artsakh authorities' position on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 

There are non-negotiable benchmark truths for the people and  authorities of the Republic of Artsakh, in particular:

1. Issues related to the future of Artsakh should be decided  primarily by the Armenians of Artsakh, where the role of the entire  Armenian people is also important given the exclusive role of Artsakh  for the Armenian nation and statehood

2. The Azerbaijani-Artsakh conflict should be settled on the basis of  the full realization and recognition of the right to  self-determination of the people of Artsakh, with the aim of  achieving international recognition of independence

3. Any status within Azerbaijan is unacceptable and impossible,  because:

 Historically, Artsakh is exclusively the homeland of the Armenian  people, and Azerbaijanis cannot usurp it by falsifying history;

 The people of Artsakh have been self-determined in favor of  building a free and independent state and we are the ones who decide  our destiny;

 The centuries-old Turkish-Azerbaijani genocidal policy towards  Armenians and especially the continuous and growing anti-Armenian  policy of the last decades, simply existentially excludes any status  of Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan

4. Our occupied territories must be returned, and displaced citizens  must return to their native homes

5. Artsakh and Mother Armenia should have a direct, reliable and  sovereign land connection with each other

6. We are ready to preserve and protect our values acquired at the  cost of heavy sacrifices: statehood, national dignity and the freedom  of creating and living in our own homeland

7. We also prefer and are ready for the peaceful and stable  development of the region, based on the principles of respecting the  rights and dignity of all peoples and states and excluding the use of  force.

On September 14, Armenia's Premier Nikol Pashinyan stated he was  ready to sign a document that would cause criticism against him and  even his removal from power, but would mean a long-lasting peace for  Armenia. 

The same day, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Artsakh  Artur Tovmasyan issued the following statement: 

"Artsakh was, is and will be. The destiny of the Republic of Artsakh  and its people has never been nor will it be a monopoly of one person  or political force. With respect to Artsakh's independence any  statements, interviews or positions disregarding the will of the  Artsakh people and authorities are unacceptable.  Forcible  incorporation of Artsakh into Azerbaijan will lead to destruction of  Artsakh and will be a geopolitical historical tragedy for the  Armenian people and Armenian nationhood." 

Also, mass protests took place in Artsakh on September 14 and 15.