Levon Ter-Petrosyan: It's Still a Big Question Who Contributed More – Armenia to Artsakh or Artsakh to Armenia

The first President of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, has published an excerpt from his 2017 article on his Facebook page:

“The hardships endured by Armenians for the liberation of Artsakh do not justify blaming the residents of Artsakh for ingratitude, ignorance, or parasitism. It is still a big question as to who has contributed more – Armenia to Artsakh or Artsakh to Armenia. This is not a basis for the sharply negative attitude towards the few dozen Artsakh officials and major businessmen who have sought refuge in Armenia. Both Armenians and Artsakh residents equally suffer from the vices and illegal actions of the latter.

Armenia and Artsakh are our common homeland, whose citizens equally share both victories and defeats, as well as the deprivations and sufferings. Nevertheless, we must not forget that Artsakh residents live on the frontline of the Armenian-Azerbaijani confrontation, constantly threatened by border clashes and shelling. This reality is perceived more acutely by them, which requires exceptional sensitivity from Armenians,” the publication states.