Artsakh president urges Yerevan to refrain from agreeing to  Azerbaijani control of Karabakh

ArmInfo.Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan appealed to Armenia's authorities to refrain from  any efforts and statements that consider Artsakh part of Azerbaijan, urging Yerevan to remain true to state and international obligations, as well as Armenian national interests and aspirations, asbarez.com reports referring to the Artsakh president's statement. 

Harutyunyan made the statement in a nationally televised address in  light of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's announcement on Monday that  signaled Yerevan's readiness to see Artsakh under Azerbaijani  control.

In response to Pashinyan's announcement, Artsakh's National Assembly  unanimously approved an angrily-worded statement condemning Pashinyan  for his actions. Harutyunyan welcomed the parliament's statement.

In his remarks directed at Armenia's authorities, Harutyunyan said  that his government fully comprehends that Armenia finds itself in a  vulnerable position after the 2020 war, adding that the Artsakh  authorities have approached various developments with great  understanding and have and continue to endure the brunt of all kinds  of deprivations, in order to neutralize all intimidation tactics that  might force Armenia to make concessions.

  "However, there are concrete principles and red lines whose violation  we consider unacceptable and inadmissible.  Recognizing Artsakh as  part of Azerbaijan is one of those red lines, which we are confident  that the for the vast majority of Armenians remains the same,"  Harutyunyan said.

"The main condition for the Republic of Armenia, in its dealings and  posturing as it relates to Artsakh, must be the expression of the  will of the people of Artsakh, which was unequivocally voiced through  the independence and constitutional referendums that took place with  the unconditional support of the Republic of Armenia and all  Armenians around the world," Harutyunyan added.

"The normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot  take place with a completely separate approach from that of the  Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict and at the expense of the fundamental  rights and interests of the people of Artsakh," emphasized the  Artsakh leader who also stressed that these principles are an  integral and crucial part of the interests of the entire Armenian  Nation.

"For us any announcement or document that ignores the self-governance  of the Republic of Artsakh, the right to self- determination of our  people and the facts of its practical implementation, are  unacceptable," Haurutyunyan said in welcoming the Artsakh National  Assembly's unanimous declaration and in response to Pashinyan's  announcement.

"Artsakh has never been and will never be part of Azerbaijan, because  this is the will of our people who have an unwavering determination  to fight for their rights and interests. I am confident that those  fighting [for these rights] will not be alone. Not only will all  Armenians continue to support our struggle, there will be principled  supporters in the international arena," added Harutyunyan.

The Artsakh president said that the ongoing threats to the safety of  Artsakh, the deteriorating humanitarian conditions as a result of the  five-month-old blockade and international developments prompted him  to speak to the nation. He enumerated the mounting challenges and  said that the following issues continued to impact the landscape and  stability:

The more than five-month-long blockade of Artsakh has increased the  humanitarian and political challenges and added to security threats;

The deterioration of the humanitarian situation and the increase of  risks due to the ongoing risks to Artsakh's vital infrastructures;

The ongoing threats of new military aggression by Azerbaijan against  Artsakh and overt ethnic cleansing ambitions;

The serious breach of the Russian guarantees to the security of the  people of Artsakh, mandated by the tripartite declaration of November  9, 2020.

The escalation of geopolitical tensions in the region and  Azerbaijan's aggressive policies stemming from the Russia- Ukraine  conflict;

The continued weakening of international structures and the failure  of the international community to ensure the security and fundamental  rights of the people of Artsakh and uphold the implementation of the  decisions of international courts;

Armenia's continued weakening position in the process to normalize  relations with Azerbaijan and efforts to recognize Artsakh as part of  Azerbaijan.

Harutyunyan said that Russia, and its president Vladimir Putin, have  shouldered obligations outlined in the November 9, 2020 agreement  that include keeping the Lachin Corridor open; eliminating all  obstacles advanced by Azerbaijan, freeing the 120,000 residents of  Artsakh from becoming hostages to terrorists; and preventing  Azerbaijan's aggression against the people of Artsakh.

"Regardless of how the actions of the other sides [to the  agreements], Russia has taken on specific obligations, which have  served as a critical impetus for the people of Artsakh to return  after the war. Thus, we expect the unwavering and decisive  fulfillment of those obligations, in the name of the interests of  Artsakh and Russia, as well as the centuries-old alliance and  friendship between the Armenians and Russians," Harutyunyan stressed.

The Artsakh president also appealed to all stakeholders in the  international community, especially the United Nations Security  Council "to first and foremost ensure that Azerbaijan fully adheres  to the February 22, 2023 decision of the UN's International Court of  Justice ruling."

He also emphasized that it is crucial to guarantee the security of  the people of Artsakh based on UN principles and goals, through  various mechanisms.