YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. The Government of Armenia has numerously assured the Government of Artsakh that they won’t sign any document relating to Artsakh without discussing it with Artsakh and taking into account the people’s opinion, President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan said in an address to the nation.

He said that the conflict resolution and international recognition of independence requires several conditions: favorable geopolitical situation, functioning security guarantees, international will and action to suppress Azerbaijan’s aggressive policy and appetite.

“We must be patient and continue our path with strategic struggle, clearly maintaining the red lines. I am convinced that our just goal will be realized through reasonable, consistent and strategic efforts. Our statements that any document which could consider Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan being unacceptable for us are in context of keeping these red lines. In this regard we hold regular political consultations with the government of Armenia, during which we presented and present our positions regarding the future of Artsakh, especially its security and status. The government of Armenia has numerously assured that no document relating to Artsakh will be signed without discussing with us and taking into consideration the opinion of the people of Artsakh. I once again assure you that we will not accept any document contradicting the interests of the people of Artsakh, and I am announcing this now for the entire world,” he said.

The president added that the NK conflict must be resolved primarily based on the right to self determination of the people of Artsakh and the full recognition of the results of the exercise of that right. He said that the right to self-determination is given to the people of Artsakh not only with international law documents, but also OSCE documents, which has the international mandate for the conflict resolution.

According to the president, as a result of the 2020 war two of the three principles in the basis of the conflict resolution have become ungrounded and overdue – territorial integrity, the inadmissibility of the use of force or the threat of force, while the Azeri aggression and crimes against humanity have undeniably strengthened the need for a full recognition and protection of Artsakh’s right to self determination, both as an outstanding principle and obligation by the international community and a guarantee of the physical existence of the people of Artsakh.

“Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to once again call on the actors in the international community to fulfill their obligations and recognize the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh and the independence of the Republic of Artsakh. The attempts to overshadow the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh through the principle of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity are unacceptable and ungrounded because right is always superior to principle,” the President of Artsakh said, adding that they will continue to seek international recognition of the independence of Artsakh, “a path we chose in 1991, which, on the other hand, must not harm the high level of integration with Mother Armenia.”