The Nagorno Karabakh conflict is a human rights issue and can only be solved through the people's free self-determination, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan told the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, September 19.

"The new state of Artsakh's self-determiniation started some 30 years ago. In response to the peaceful calls for the realization of the indivisible right of Armenians to self-determination, Azerbaijan turned to the use of force," Sargsyan said.

"The culmination of Azerbaijan's policies were the massacres of the Armenian population and the mass deportations, leaving the people of Artsakh no other choice than to defend themselves."

"Last year's Four-Day War proved that Azerbaijan still pursues its goal of destroying the Artsakh people," Sargsyan said, adding that Azerbaijan is a symbol of medieval backwardness for a developing democracy in Artsakh.

Azerbaijan on April 2, 2016 launched a large-scale military offensive against Nagorno Karabakh, which left hundreds dead on both sides. Top Armenian and Azerbaijani defense officials reached an agreement on the cessation of hostilities on April 5 in Moscow.

"We are confident there is no alternative to the peaceful settlement of the conflict, and from this high podium I reaffirm our commitment in this regard. "