Nagorno-Karabakh Republic will cease to exist by January 1, says presidential decree

PanARMENIAN.Net - President of the Republic of Artsakh Samvel Shahramanyan on Thursday, September 28, signed a decree, according to which the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) will cease to exist by January 1, 2024.

The statement shared by the Karabakh InfoCenter reads.

"According to the decree, in connection with the current difficult military-political situation, based on the priority of ensuring the physical security and vital interests of the people of Artsakh, taking into account the agreement reached through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent with representatives of the Republic of Azerbaijan that free, voluntary and unhindered travel is ensured for the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, including military personnel who laid down their arms, with their property on their vehicles along the Lachin corridor, and guided by Article 93 of the Constitution of Nagorno-Karabakh, it was decided:

"1. Dissolve all state institutions and organizations under their departmental subordination by January 1, 2024, and the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) ceases to exist.

"2. The population of Nagorno-Karabakh, including those outside the republic, after the entry into force of this Decree, will familiarize themselves with the conditions of reintegration presented by the Republic of Azerbaijan, with a view to making an independent and individual decision in the future on the possibility of staying in (returning to) Nagorno-Karabakh."

Earlier on Thursday, former Nagorno-Karabakh Foreign Minister, adviser to President Davit Babayan said he has decided to surrender to Azerbaijan, knowing that he is in Baku's black list.

On September 19, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh, which left hundreds of Armenians killed and thousands of others displaced. On September 20, the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to a ceasefire on Azerbaijan’s terms, including the dissolution of the Defense Army. So far, 47,715 displaced residents have already fled Nagorno-Karabakh and reached Armenia.