Nikol Pashinyan Lacks Authority to Determine the Fate of Artsakh: Response from Samvel Babayan's Party

The negotiation process for resolving Armenian-Azerbaijani relations has reached a point where Artsakh is no longer a hostage. This was stated by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a press conference on May 22 of this year. While he did not consider it appropriate to interfere in Artsakh's internal affairs, the Prime Minister nonetheless reserved the right to declare that Armenia is ready to recognize Azerbaijan's territorial integrity of 86,600 square kilometers, which also includes Nagorno-Karabakh.

This statement was made by the party led by former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, Samvel Babayan.

“Firmly condemning any manifestation of violation of the collective political will of the people of Artsakh or arbitrary bargaining, the United Homeland party declares: – The Republic of Artsakh is a reality, based on the fact of the exercised right of self-determination of the people of Artsakh. The people of Artsakh secured their will to live freely and independently with the Declaration of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in 1991, the results of the 1991 referendum, and the Declaration of State Independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in 1992. Therefore, including Nikol Pashinyan, who is negotiating on behalf of Armenia, lacks the authority and mandate to decide the fate of Artsakh.

– In 1988, in the context of exercising the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh, and for this reason, in the forced war of 1992, Artsakh succeeded in forming a regular army with skilled tactics under qualitatively and quantitatively unequal conditions, breaking the Azerbaijani blockade, and forcing Azerbaijan and the international community to consider its will. Consequently, in the context of the current political situation regarding Artsakh, self-organization along the same lines and simultaneously initiating direct negotiations between Stepanakert and Baku is an urgent necessity.

The United Homeland party, represented by victorious leader Samvel Babayan, reaffirms that it sees possible preconditions for transforming Artsakh from an object to a subject of the right of self-determination, realizing the right to self-defense enshrined in the UN Charter, and internationalizing the legal-political foundations of the Artsakh issue.

Accordingly, it is ready to assume its share of responsibility during these extremely difficult and fateful times for Artsakh. Artsakh is our name and honor, but with each of our silent consent, it can become a dishonorable mark for all of us. Awaken, O Armenian people, while the last opportunity for salvation has not been lost,” the statement reads.