State Minister talks Karabakh crisis with Le Spectacle du Monde

PanARMENIAN.Net - Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) State Minister Ruben Vardanyan has said that Armenian have lived in Karabakh for thousands of years and, hopefully, will continue to live the fore thousands more.

In an interview with the French magazine Le Spectacle du Monde (via Aravot), Vardanyan said Artsakh has special significance for all Armenians and not only those born there.

“It is a unique, historical place, one of the cradles of our nation. In 2020, when Azerbaijan started its attack, I realized that Baku is continuing, step by step, its plan to push all Armenians out of Artsakh, endangering the 30,000 children living there,” Vardanyan added.

My homeland was really under unprecedented pressure, and I realized that it was time for me to join the fight. When else should I use my authority, my skills, my capabilities, if not now? It is a choice I have made for the present, for all those living today, but also for the generations to come, because we have lived on this land for thousands of years and, I hope, will continue to live here for thousands more.”

Since December 12, self-described environmentalists, backed by the government of Azerbaijan, have blocked the Lachin corridor, which is the only route connecting Nagotno Karabakh to Armenia. And Vardanyan believes baku is thus trying to to mislead the Western public opinion, which is concerned about environmental protection.

“Baku cannot violate the agreement signed with the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation, which guarantees free movement through that corridor. This is indeed an obvious attempt at manipulation, because not a single trace of an environmental demonstration could be found in Azerbaijan where gas and oil exploitation creates real environmental problems,” he added.

“There are no precedents of such protests in Azerbaijan. In fact, there is no organized civil society either. There is only one family, the Aliyev family, that controls the country, and the population, despite the fact that their country is rich in natural resources, lives quite poor. That is why they need an external enemy. Unfortunately, Azerbaijanis are taught that Armenians are bad. It allows them to unite the country against us and manipulate public opinion. This is their strategy.”

Asked whether he believes it is ever possible to have peace with Azerbaijan, the Karabakh State Minister said: “Of course. We have a good example. France and Germany have been at odds for a long time, and now they have a great relationship, materialized by such achievements as, for example, Airbus. But it's a long road that requires a lot of work, will and commitment from leaders.”