Saturday, September 2 2023 15:14

ArmInfo. All statements about the non-existence of Nagorno Karabakh as a territorial entity  and that the Nagorno Karabakh issue is resolved are groundless, unless the issues of security and protection of the rights of NK Armenians are irrevocably addressed, the statement of the Prime  Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on the occasion of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence of Nagorno Karabakh reads.

As the Premier's press service reports, the statement reads as  follows:

"Dear people, dear compatriots,

32 years ago on this day, the joint session of the deputies of all  levels of the Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Region and Shahumyan  region, referring to the right to self- determination, made a  decision on the adoption of the declaration of independence of  Nagorno Karabakh.

During that period, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh witnessed the  massacres of Sumgait, Baku, and Kirovabad, and the adoption of the  declaration of independence was also conditioned by an existential  threat.

As a result of the 44-day war, even today, our compatriots living in  their homeland, Nagorno-Karabakh, face the threat of ethnic cleansing  as a result of Azerbaijan's policy, due to the illegal blocking of  the Lachin Corridor, the stop of supplies of essential food, gas and  electricity.

The international community is also witnessing the ongoing processes,  and the UN Security Council discussions on Nagorno Karabakh also  noted the existence of a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh and  the fact that the lives and security of 120,000 people of Nagorno  Karabakh are in doubt. At the same time, it was emphasized that the  decisions of the International Court of Justice of February 22 and  July 6, 2023 on ensuring uninterrupted movement of people, vehicles  and cargo in both directions through the Lachin Corridor have not  been fulfilled by Azerbaijan.  We expect the international community  to make efforts to prevent the implementation of the policy of ethnic  cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

I would like to emphasize once again that all statements about the  non-existence of Nagorno Karabakh as a territorial entity and that  the Nagorno Karabakh issue is resolved are groundless, unless the  issues of security and protection of the rights of NK Armenians are  irrevocably addressed.

Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and the international community clearly  record that the comprehensive and long-term settlement of the  conflict should take place exclusively through the peace process,  including the Baku-Stepanakert dialogue under the international  mechanism.

Dear compatriots,

We remember all our heroes martyred for the Motherland and bow before  them.  The Republic of Armenia will continue its efforts to ensure  normal life, security and protection of rights in Nagorno-Karabakh.  Today, we express our appreciation to all our compatriots of  Nagorno-Karabakh, and our task is to ensure their inalienable right  to live and create in peace through peaceful, civilized means,   through negotiations.  It should be noted that Republic Day is  celebrated in Artsakh on September 2. On this day in 1991, at the  joint session of the Nagorno-Karabakh regional and Shaumyan district  Councils of People's Deputies, a declaration "On the proclamation of  the Nagorno- Karabakh Republic" was adopted. More than 80% of the  population of the region took part in the referendum held on December  10 of the same year, and 98% of them voted in favor of independence.

However, today the republic is faced with the most serious challenges  related to the results of the 44-day war and the complete blockade of  the Lachin corridor, which led to a humanitarian crisis in the NKR.  In connection with the current situation, The ARF party is calling a  rally in Yerevan on the evening of September 2 in support of Artsakh.  Earlier, on his Facebook page MP  from the "Armenia" opposition  faction Ishkhan Saghatelyan wrote that being in blockade for 9  months, Artsakh continues to resist the enemy. "The struggle of  Artsakh is the struggle of all of us. On September 2, on the  Independence Day of the Republic of Artsakh, join the rally in  support of Artsakh, show that you are with Artsakh, add your voice to  the voice of thousands of other compatriots, show that Artsakh is not  alone, show that we are the owners of our Motherland and we are  united. So, on September 2, on Freedom Square, at 6:00 p.m.," the  oppositionist wrote.