“The declaration on the Nagorno Karabakh Republic proclamation is a brave political and legal act that was adopted is accordance with the fundamental norms of the former USSR Constitution and international law. It became epochal in the centuries-old history of Artsakh. It reflected the will of our people who had chosen the path of freedom and independence,” NKR President Arkady Ghukasian said in Stepanakert during the festivities dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the NKR proclamation. He remarked that under the circumstances independence proved to be the only way to secure Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh, its development and prosperity.
“I would like to remind that NKR was proclaimed at the time when no single Armenian remained at the territory of the Azeri SSR. The Azerbaijani leadership isolated Nagorno Karabakh from the outer world. 15 years that have passed proved the historical necessity and relevance of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s proclamation,” Ghukasian said. In his words, the economy of the state was almost completely destroyed. Dwellings, hospitals, schools were demolished. “Half of Nagorno Karabakh was occupied by Azerbaijan as result of bloody battles. Thousands of people were killed but thanks to the incredible efforts of our people and leadership as well as owing to Armenia and Diaspora’s support the enemy was forced of retreat and conclude armistice agreement signed by Stepanakert as well. Thus, the Azerbaijani leadership actually recognized Nagorno Karabakh as a party to conflict although now it denied this fact,” the NKR leader said.
Arkady Ghukasian voiced regret over the fact that the “Azeri authorities prefer to counteract the logic of political development. Karabakh problem cannot be resolved by force. War will bring new losses and sufferings to both peoples. I call on the Azeri side to abandon delirious intentions to take revenge and settle all the issues at the bargaining table,” he said. At that he underscored that the efforts of the NKR political leadership are targeted at a peaceful settlement of the conflict. “We consider the irreversible democratization process as factor promoting peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict. The calls to war in Azerbaijan can be explained by absence of democracy in the neighbor republic. If the process reached a deadlock now, it’s not the fault of Karabakh or Armenia but the result of Azerbaijan’s counterproductive position,” Ghukasian said.
He remarked that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement is possible only on the basis of mutual compromise that demands courage and political will of the leaders of the conflicting sides. “I would like to confirm Karabakh’s readiness to hold a direct and constructive dialogue with Azerbaijan without preconditions. Such format will reflect the core of the problem,” Ghukasian concluded, reported IA Regnum.
