Friday, October 21 2022 11:47

ArmInfo. In an interview with the Public TV of Artsakh, President of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan said that he cannot imagine Artsakh's future  without Russia's presence. 

In this context, he appreciates Russia's interfering and putting an  end to the hostilities, which, otherwise, would have had graver  consequences. 

The right to self-determination is the fundamental principle for  Artsakh. However, Mr Harutyunyan cannot see this process as possible  amid the global geopolitical processes. 

"The question may arise here that Armenia is the guarantor of  Artsakh's security, but the conflict is no longer an issue between  Armenia and Azerbaijan or Artsakh and Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, for  a long time now, this conflict has much deeper roots. There is the  Shushi Declaration - Azerbaijan-Turkey, and Turkey's role in this  last war, and its role after the war in the region has increased.   So, we expect more reliable guarantees from Russia, not just a  peacekeeping mission," he said. 

"Of course, we are welcoming the international community's activity.  But I would like to be straightforward - Artsakh's future without  Russia is doubtful for me," Mr Harutyunyan said. 

Artsakh's self-defense cannot be questioned and will be improved  despite the fact that Armenia is not involved any more. 

At the same time, he stressed that the NKR authorities visited  Yerevan and held discussions in order to understand the real state of  affairs, while not deviating from their own course, where the right  of the people of Artsakh to self-determination is not subject to  discussion.

"The right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination is  non-negotiable. We emphasize this in every communication and meeting.  We do not even think about this forgotten idea that Artsakh is part  of Azerbaijan. The Republic of Artsakh exists de facto and is  governed by the Constitution, despite the sensitive losses, as a  result of the last war. It is impossible to imagine Artsakh in any  other status. De facto independence is not discussed, the results of  the war were very difficult for us, but today Artsakh exists,"  Harutyunyan said.

He also agreed that in terms of de jure recognition, Artsakh has a  lot to go through, to fight, years, decades.  Harutyunyan expressed  his conviction that the struggle should continue on international  platforms, with different countries, friendly countries, countries  that respect democracy.

"In this sense, the situation has become more complicated, since the  international players, who are trying to provide their services in  connection with the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan,  downplay the Artsakh problem. It must be admitted that they do not  present favorable proposals. This does not prevent us from  implementing the principle of self-determination of nations of the UN  Charter, and our struggle will be within its framework. The right of  the people of Artsakh to self-determination has nothing to do with  the principle of territorial integrity," the President of Artsakh  said, recalling that Artsakh withdrew from the USSR in accordance  with the Constitution of the Union, and is not subject to bargaining.

Regarding the possible signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and  Azerbaijan, Arayik Harutyunyan noted that no treaty can predetermine  the future of Artsakh and the principle of territorial integrity  cannot be higher than the principle of self-determination of nations  and their struggle will be within the framework of the latter. At the  same time, he believes that for the success of the struggle, first of  all, you need to live in Artsakh.

Harutyunyan also pointed out the need for meetings with the  Azerbaijani side in order to understand how to proceed.

"If we are going to maintain our de facto independence, stability,  peace, of course, we must meet. We need to evaluate what direct  negotiations with Baku will give us. If we are going to maintain our  de facto independence, stability and peace, we must raise and resolve  vital issues at these meetings, of course, we must meet. Without  giving up our right to self-determination and without questioning the  path to our independence", Mr Harutyunyan concluded.