Armenian Apostolic Church Supreme Spiritual Council:  `behavior of  Armenian authorities more than worrying`

ArmInfo. The position of the Armenian authorities regarding the recognition of Artsakh as part of  Azerbaijan is rejectable, which does not have any moral, legal and  security justification and absolutely does not correspond to the  collective expectations and national interests of our people.

This is stated in the statement of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the  Armenian Apostolic Church.  As the official website of the Mother See  of Holy Etchmiadzin reports, the statement, in particular, reads:   "The Supreme Spiritual Council, referring to the ontological  challenges facing the motherland and the situation created as a  result of them in the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh, notes that  the current situation in domestic life is extremely worrying.

The rhetoric used by the Azerbaijani authorities, as well as the  steps initiated, make it evident that the latter has officially  adopted not only the Republic of Artsakh, but also the policy of  occupying the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia,  destroying traces of ethnic Armenian identity and heritage, with the  aim of destroying the Armenian statehood.

Azerbaijan not only does not stop the blockade of Artsakh, but also  continues to implement its genocidal policy with new manifestations  of hostility and violence.  The entire state and public propaganda  machine of Azerbaijan is committed to the spread of false and  fabricated information against the Armenian statehood and the entire  Armenian people on wide public platforms through anti-historical  theses.

The disproportional reactions and behavior of the Armenian  authorities are more than worrying about the complex and dangerous  developments. The position of the Armenian authorities regarding the  recognition of Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan is rejectable, which  does not have any moral, legal and security justification and  absolutely does not correspond to the collective expectations and  national interests of our people. The sovereignty and territorial  integrity of Armenia are non-negotiable, the right to  self-determination realized by the referendum of the Artsakh people  is indisputable.

The Supreme Spiritual Council highly appreciates the efforts made by  international institutions in the direction of the settlement of the  Artsakh problem. However, in the context of the immediate threats  facing the Armenians of Artsakh, the steps and initiatives  implemented by international structures, unfortunately, continue to  be inadequate.

In order to overcome the ontological challenges facing the homeland,  the RA authorities are obliged to take measures that will consolidate  all the potential and capabilities of national, political and public  structures in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora. The homeland is  everyone's, Armenian statehood is the sacred relic of every Armenian.   Ahead of the Artsakh Republic Day on September 2, the Supreme  Spiritual Council extends is support to the brave people of Artsakh  in their heroic struggle for a free, independent and dignified life  in their homeland.

The urge of the Supreme Spiritual Council to our people is to soberly  assess the situation in the country, throw away the indifference,  take commitment for the motherland and everywhere become a  participant and supporter of the programs and measures aimed at  protecting the independence of Artsakh.

We have strong confidence that with full responsibility before God  and generations and with the brave spirit and endurance of our  ancestors, we will be able to overcome the most difficult challenges  that have been assigned to us.  May God bless the homeland and the  Armenian people."