The Cornerstone of the Artsakh Issue is the Realization of the Right to Self-Determination - Sharmazanov

The spokesperson of the Republican Party of Armenia, Eduard Sharmazanov, wrote on his Facebook page: "The cornerstone of the Artsakh issue is the realization of the right to self-determination and not security. For some time now, the new authorities of Armenia have circulated a thesis that the cornerstone of the Artsakh problem is not the realization of self-determination rights, but rather ensuring security. It seems that this dangerous thesis is not even opposed by the authorities of Artsakh. Why is this thesis debatable and dangerous? Let me explain below.

Thus, the struggle of the people of Artsakh is a struggle for self-determination, meaning the right to live independently. It is not a territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Ensuring security, of course, is important, but it is not the cornerstone of the issue.

Let's imagine for a moment that the international community provides stable and long-term legal guarantees for the security of the Armenian population in Artsakh within Azerbaijan. Would these authorities agree to such a scenario? I have previously stated that in 1993, the Czechs and Slovaks did not threaten each other's security, but by exercising their right to self-determination, declared two separate independent states – the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Therefore, it is clear that the cornerstone of the Artsakh issue is the realization of the right to self-determination. Thus, the international recognition of Artsakh's independence has no alternative."