Nikol Pashinyan has invited the first press conference in the PM’s position in Stepanakert, in which representatives from Armenian, Artsakh and foreign media were present.
Asked why Nikol Pashinyan’s first official visit is in Artsakh and not any superpower, the latter responded with a smile: “And why do you think Artsakh is not a superpower?”
In his speech, Nikol Pashinyan mentioned that he gives special importance to the relations with Artsakh and there is no doubt that those relations will develop with natural stream and will acquire new manifestations. According to Pashinyan, it will strengthen Armenia and Artsakh’s international positions. He stated he was hopeful that the international recognition of Artsakh will gain a new breath. He also mentioned that productive cooperation will take place in the field of security of Armenia and Artsakh.
Addressing the issue of Karabakh conflict settlement, the PM of the Republic of Armenia said: “If in reality the international community, Azerbaijan encompassed, want to resolve Karabakh issue, then it is not logical to discuss it in the format it cannot acquire a solution. How can this negotiation format solve an issue, the core participant of which is absent from negotiation table? The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh can speak on behalf of Artsakh Republic, the Republic of Armenia is also a party of the conflict, however, it will speak comprehensively only on behalf of itself. Only the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh should speak on behalf of the Artsakh Republic, namely – its President.”
According to Pashinyan, the fact is that the authorities of Azerbaijan continue using military rhetoric, which excludes the resolution of the issue, inasmuch as conflict settlement cannot be in place when one of the parties announces of its intention to destroy the other party: “In those conditions, we have two things to do. To strengthen the level of security of Armenia and Artsakh, and secondly – to urge the international community to bring Azerbaijan into a constructive platform. Azerbaijan and the international community should record very clearly that Armenia and Artsakh will not fall before Azerbaijan’s militaristic rhetoric and especially now when our people are unified as never before,” he emphasized.
Davit ABAGHYAN
