Armenia vows to pursue realization of Karabakh's right to self-determination

PanARMENIAN.Net - Caretaker President Nikol Pashinyan said Thursday, July 15 that Armenia will "diligently" pursue the realization of the right of the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to self-determination.

According to Pashinyan, Azerbaijanis is trying to create an impression that Armenia is against peace. He said Armenia is ready to resume negotiations within the Karabakh peace process, based on the format and content proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

Pashinyan reminded that Armenia has on several occasions publicly welcomed the mediators' call for resuming the political dialogue under their auspices, based on the three well-known principles: self-determination of peoples, exclusion of use of force or threat of force and territorial integrity.

The acting PM recommended that Azerbaijan cease its destructive actions and statements and heed the calls of the mediators and express a clear position on the matter.

Pashinyan also weighed in on Azerbaijan's presence on the sovereign territory of Armenia, in the provinces of Gegharkunik and Syunik.

Azerbaijani forces violated Armenia’s border in several sections in the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik on May 12 and 13 and are still refusing to withdraw their troops from the area. One Armenian serviceman was killed in Azerbaijan’s shooting on May 25, six troops were captured on May 27, although four of them have already returned home.

"Both the international community and Armenia have expressed their position on the issue," he said.

"Azerbaijani armed forces withdraw [from the territory of Armenia], both Armenian and Azerbaijani militaries pull back forces to their permanent places of deployment, Russian border troops or international observers are deployed along the border. And only then does the process of delimitation and demarcation under the auspices of international observers begin."

According to him, however, Azerbaijan has yet to respond to Armenia's proposal.

Pashinyan added that Azerbaijan has territorial claims against its neighbors, which he described as "a key factor" throwing regional stability and peace into question.