The fate of Artsakh has been pushed out of the political agenda of Armenia, being replaced by the social problems of our compatriots. They are, of course, essential for overcoming this grave crisis, but we should not allow the Artsakh page to be finally closed under this veil.
If the Artsakh page is closed, the Republic of Armenia page and the Armenian factor page will also be closed. Therefore, preserving Artsakh statehood and forming state institutions is a primary issue. The President of Artsakh and the deputies of the National Assembly of Artsakh play a significant role here.
About three weeks ago, the Committee to preserve Artsakh’s statehood was formed. The day before, the first meeting of the Committee was held at the Marriott-Armenia Hotel in Yerevan, which was attended by the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Samvel Shahramanyan, deputies of the National Assembly of Artsakh, representatives of political and public forces of Armenia, intellectuals.
The meeting was behind closed doors, at the end of which Suren Petrosyan, the coordinator of the Committee and the Chairman of the “Democratic Unification” party, answered the questions of the media.
Read also
– What issues did you discuss, and what results did you achieve?
– I cannot comment on the content. But the processes will be continuous.
– These authorities are trying to neutralize the subjectivity of Artsakh citizens at any cost, not even accepting the President of Artsakh on the pretext of not having time and trying to cover the problems with a social veil. Were options for cooperation with the Armenian authorities discussed, and is it possible?
– Many issues were discussed and will still be addressed. But there is one critical issue that we need to fix. Within the framework of this process, no one should consider our compatriots of Artsakh as a resource for some internal political processes. That is very clear.
As for the government, no one, in particular, the government has the right to discuss the subjectivity of Artsakh, let alone close the page of Artsakh.
– The document to dissolve Artsakh, which was signed, has no legal basis because a referendum established the Republic of Artsakh.
– We will answer that question shortly. Now, let me say that no one can dissolve the Republic of Artsakh, created and formed by the people.
– Have you considered the threats and possible consequences from Azerbaijan?
– In terms of dangers, that agenda is false because the government did not organize this process, as a result of which war actions may take place. This meeting is more the result of the self-organization of the society. And if we look at the problem from the point of view of what is implied, then we should always be afraid of organizing something Azerbaijan may react negatively to.
– Did you discuss the issue of removing the authorities today?
– There was no talk about that today. Our agenda is exclusively to preserve the statehood of Artsakh
– If the Republic of Artsakh is dissolved from January 1, 2024, if the Azerbaijani flag is erected on the Renaissance Square of Stepanakert, if the army of Artsakh is disbanded and the population is not there, how will the Armenian nature and statehood of Artsakh be preserved?
– The state globally has two components: the land and the people. Artsakh is currently occupied. But our compatriots from Artsakh are in Armenia. The community exists. Here is also the government legitimately elected by the people of Artsakh. And we want to preserve our rights to Artsakh. In that case, we must be able to maintain the second component because what represents and secures the collective interests of our compatriots of Artsakh is not only the government organized at the internal level but the constitutional order that exists.
– Can you implement this plan under these authorities, which are essentially against it?
– It is always possible to accomplish everything. It is necessary to be guided by an obvious formula. We must do the required, then the possible. And we will see how the impossible is realized. The necessary but insufficient step leading to it is to ensure the vitality of Artsakh institutions. And that’s what today’s meeting is all about.
Ashot HAKOBYAN
