ArmInfo. Work needs to be started to ensure Armenians' safe return to Nagorno-Karabakh, President of Nagorno-Karabakh Samvel Shahramanyan said in an interview with Artsakh Public Television.
According to him, discussions on this issue must begin as soon as possible in order to find ways to resolve it. The President of Nagorno-Karabakh noted that all geopolitical centers - the USA, Russia, Europe - are interested in the issue of returning the population. "It seems to me that Azerbaijan is also interested in this, and Azerbaijan is being accused of committing actions that contributed to the forced displacement of the population," Shahramanyan said.
Speaking about the events that occurred after his election as President of the Republic of Artsakh, the leader of Nagorno-Karabakh pointed to the military actions of September 19-29.
Together with the Defense Army, other security forces, as well as the population, retaliatory military actions began, and it was thanks to these measures that it was possible to begin negotiations with the Azerbaijani side, which lasted about 12 hours," said the Artsakh leader, pointing at the same time to the inequality of forces. For this reason, it was possible to establish contact with high-ranking representatives of the Azerbaijani side, negotiations with whom were conducted before the outbreak of hostilities on September 19.
Taking into account that the Azerbaijani side suffered quite heavy losses, and our areas were already surrounded, the enemy approached Stepanakert and was very close to the area called Krkzhan, we had no choice but to make certain concessions. I suggested that they send their demands in writing for an immediate cessation of hostilities. We did not accept the first document, and we and a large team, which included the entire Security Council, ex-presidents, almost all political forces, constantly held discussions, made changes and informed the Azerbaijani side
He emphasized that as a result of the negotiations, a document was adopted that provided for a complete cessation of hostilities at 13:00 on September 20, the second point provided for the dissolution of the Defense Army, the withdrawal of the remnants of the Armenian armed forces, including the transfer of heavy military equipment for its further disposal. "It is clear that such a formulation as "withdrawal of the remnants of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia" was unacceptable for us, but this was the demand of the Azerbaijani side. And, as you know, the third part planned a meeting in Yevlakh on the 21st, where integration issues presented by the Azerbaijani side were to be discussed. We had one goal: to save the lives of the residents of Artsakh, to save the lives of soldiers and officers of our army, which, I think, we managed to do," said Samvel Shahramanyan.
Regarding his decree of September 28, which abolishes the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from January 1, 2024, Shahramanyan said that the second document, the presidential decree, which became the subject of much discussion, became the price for the safe withdrawal of the population. Also, the first paragraph of this document provided that military personnel would also be able to leave safely, just like our population with their cars and property. The second point provided for the dissolution of the state system, as a result of which the Republic of Artsakh would cease to exist. The third point provided that our population, after familiarizing itself with the integration program presented by the Azerbaijani side, should independently and voluntarily make a decision - to stay, leave or return to Artsakh to live.
This document has received wide discussion, and there are accusations that the President of Artsakh signed a document dissolving the Republic of Artsakh. But our population does not know the main reason for the adoption of this document, which allowed the same population to safely leave Artsakh. Without delving into this document, I want to state that we know the strength and capabilities of this document, and we will still have time to refer to it.