Artsakh`s National Assembly issues statement regarding Washington  agreements

ArmInfo. The people of Artsakh, like no one else, understand the value of peace and sustainable development, having endured many trials, losses and  hardships, including an almost ten-month blockade organized by  Azerbaijan. However, the current approach does not bring the genuine  peace closer, that all the peoples of the region need, as stated in a  joint statement by the factions of the National Assembly of the  Republic of Artsakh, published in response to the Washington  agreements reached by the leaders of Armenia, the United States, and  Azerbaijan days earlier at the White House.

 <We firmly believe that the stance of the Armenian authorities,  expressing disregard for the fundamental rights of the people of  Artsakh, can only create the illusion of success within the  international security agenda, but in the long run, it will cause  deep disappointment among the parties sincerely interested in  achieving a fair peace>,  the representatives of the factions noted.

The statement specifically noted that the  normalization process of  relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot be considered  complete without ensuring the guaranteed right of the people of  Artsakh to a safe and dignified return to their historical homeland  and permanent place of residence; without the protection of the  spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh, which is currently under  threat of destruction due to Azerbaijani occupation; as well as  without resolving the issue of Armenian prisoners of war and  civilians, including the former military-political leadership of  Artsakh, whose rights being grossly violated in Baku prisons and  during illegal trials.

Against this backdrop, as the factions have stated, the initiation of  the process of the actual dissolution process of the OSCE Minsk Group  serves to underscore the inconsistency of the foreign policy of the  co- chair countries, undermines their credibility and discredits the  international commitments they have previously undertaken. In their  opinion, this also indicates that smaller or less strategic regions  are still being used as bargaining chips in global political games.  The following factions have signed the statement:  <Free Homeland -  RSA>, <United Homeland>, <Justice>,  ARF Dashnaktsutyun, and  <Democratic Party of Artsakh>.