YEREVAN, MAY 10, ARMENPRESS. There are no serious discussions or programs on moving the capital city of the Republic of Artsakh to Shushi, spokesperson of the President of Artsakh David Babayan told “Armenpress”, commenting on the information that the authorities of Artsakh are discussing the issue of moving the capital city of the country to Shushi, as well as on the information that they are planning to move the parliament of the country to Shushi in the near future. “In general, there are opinions that Shushi should again become the capital, but these are just opinions because at the moment there are no serious discussions or a program on moving the capital to Shushi, since the current capital of the country, Stepanakert, is able to realize all its functional responsibilities as the center, heart of the country. The significant part of the population, industry, economic, cultural, educational and healthcare institutions are located here”, David Babayan said.

The fact that the capital will not be moved to Shushi is in no way connected with Azerbaijani policy or possible reaction. It’s not the business of Azerbaijan. The people and authorities of Artsakh decide which city should serve as the capital, and in general, the development of the cities of Artsakh is the internal issue of Artsakh. “Another question is that we wish to make Shushi an important educational and cultural center. But it’s a long-term process. Restoration of Shushi, activation of life here has kicked off long before. A number of state institutions have been moved there – the Ministry of culture, the Ombudsman’s office, as well as different organizations. Much attention is paid to the development of the educational system. There are higher educational institutions there, specialized educational institutions, school building process is in an active phase, a number of unique museums of regional importance have been opened in the recent years. Shushi develops, but I reiterate that there is no issue of moving the capital there. These are just other provocative measures by Azerbaijan. These are our internal issues, but not of Azerbaijan, but at the moment there is no such a question under discussion”, David Babayan clarified.

According to him, it’s not ruled out that parallel to the development Shushi and Stepanakert can merge into one city, but he urged not to concentrate on that since at the moment “we have what we have”.

David Babayan also specified that the authorities of Artsakh do not discuss the issue of moving the parliament of the country to Shushi. “May be there are some such opinions but at the moment there is no specific plans on that. Time will show what will happen but even by moving the parliament to Shushi, it does not become the capital city”, the spokesperson of Artsakh’s President concluded.

The information on moving the parliament to Shushi was declined also by the head of the press service of Artsakh’s parliament Lilit Asryan. She assured that she first hears about that and there are no such discussions.