Ruben Vardanyan says Artsakh Armenians have three options
YEREVAN, December 26. /ARKA/. Addressing tens of thousands of residents of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), who gathered Sunday in a square in the center of their capital Stepanakert, Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan said there are three options for Artsakh Armenians, who have been blocked by large groups of Azerbaijanis since December 12.
"We have three options: either to integrate into Azerbaijan, to leave or to fight. I made my own decision on September 2; I am here, I am fighting, I will not leave and will not submit to Azerbaijan's demands," Vardanyan said.
He reminded that the struggle has been going on for almost 35 years. "We must do everything so that the next generation will see an independent and happy Artsakh. We know that we have made many mistakes and omissions, we have lost our strength. The world has changed, and we have learned that lesson to move forward. We are all in the same boat. We must trust each other and respect our state. Everyone must live by the law. Artsakh is not only the cornerstone of Armenians, but also of the whole world. Artsakh is the best place on earth, despite all the hardships. We must respect labor and knowledge," Vardanyan said.
He promised to use his connections, name and property for the sake of an independent Artsakh.
"A hard road awaits us, which we will walk together. But not only the world will help us, but we will help the world with our struggle," Vardanyan said. He called on Armenians around the world not to remain indifferent.
Ruben Vardanyan 54, whose total assets, according to Forbes magazine, are estimated at $1.3 billion, announced in September, 2022 that he decided to renounce his Russian citizenship and move to Karabakh, ‘whose people who have survived two wars and lost their relatives and loved ones in the struggle for independence, are abandoned, forgotten and no one needs them.’ He also said that all his assets in Russia would be moved to his family fund.
In a latest tweet Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Righst Dunja Mijatovic said those responsible for maintaining public order&security of the Lachin Corridor should take all the necessary steps to restore movement along that road as a matter of urgency and prevent a deterioration of the humanitarian situation.-0-
