Pashinyan: Armenia takes not of, accepts Karabakh’s decision

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has weighed in on the decision of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) to accept Azerbaijan’s demands, saying that while Armenia has not participated in drafting of the text, it takes note of that decision and accepts it.

He expressed bewilderment regarding the fact that the text contained the phrase "Republic of Armenia units and military equipment are being withdrawn from Nagorno-Karabakh”. Pashinyan repeated that since August 2021, Armenia has had no army units in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"My assessment is that if it were possible to involve Armenia in military operations, the target would have been Armenia's independence and sovereignty," he said.

He also noted that now the main issue is the security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, and if the Russian peacekeepers have made such a proposal, they have "completely and without reservations accepted full responsibility to ensure the security of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh."

Two days into a large-sclae offensive unleashed by Azerbaijan on September 19, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to all of Baku’s conditions, including the dissolution of the Defense Army, according to a statement from the Karabakh President’s office.

“Through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, an agreement was reached on a complete cessation of hostilities from 13:00 on September 20, 2023,” the statement says. “An agreement was reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and the disbandment and complete disarmament of the armed formations of the “Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army” and the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh with the aim of their speedy disposal.

The statement added that issues raised by the Azerbaijani side on the “reintegration, ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as issues of ensuring the livelihoods of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh within the framework of the Constitution of Azerbaijan, according to the agreement reached, will be discussed at a meeting between representatives of the local Armenian population and representatives of the central authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which will take place in the city of Yevlakh on September 21, 2023, as well during subsequent meetings.

Hundreds of people have been injured, dozens, including at least seven civilians, have been killed in Azerbaijan’s aggression.