“It is impossible to take steps that will oppose the will of the majority of our people to have an independent Artsakh, which in no case will be part of Azerbaijan and under the subordination of Azerbaijan,” Gagik Baghunts, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, told reporters about the fears regarding Artsakh’s inclusion within Azerbaijan at the RA National Assembly on March 17.
Gagik Baghunts spoke about what the Armenian government had talked about with the Artsakh deputies on this topic and what vision had been discussed.
“It is shared by all the government wings of our two countries. It is another thing that diplomacy is a complex field with its complex processes. Not everything is said immediately. I am in favor of the population being aware of the negotiations if possible, but not everything can be mentioned at the same time. I think no government in Armenia and Artsakh will take steps that contradict the will of the people.” As for the 5 points put forward by Azerbaijan, the NKR NA Deputy Speaker noted, “These are Azerbaijan’s proposals. We will also have suggestions. No proposal will be accepted that will exclude the issue of achieving Artsakh’s independence. Artsakh’s subordination to Azerbaijan must be ruled out.”
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Presenting the situation in the Khramort community of Artsakh, Baghunts said that law enforcement agencies and authorities are working to ensure the security of the population. “Children and women are being moved to safer places. Our law enforcement agencies together with the peacekeepers ensure the security of the population.” Referring to the information that the Azerbaijani side is repairing the blown gas pipeline, Gagik Baghunts said, “The humanitarian catastrophe is a fact, but it should not have such a tragic sound, because it is causing panic among the population of Artsakh. That is why the visits of the RA residents are decreasing. I think such Azeri encroachments should be accepted in reality. They have and continue to take place, taking into account the mentality of our neighbors. They will happen in the future as well. We have witnessed such things during these thirty years.”
According to him, although the encroachments of the Azerbaijani side are not typical of civilized peoples, the people of Artsakh are already used to it. “We are ready to be a neighbor, but in the conditions of our independence.”
Luiza Sukiasyan
