Artsakh will continue to actively and persistently defend its interests, independence and sovereignty- foreign minister says
YEREVAN, January 19. /ARKA/. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Foreign Minister David Babayan told a news conference in the capital Stepanakert today that Artsakh will continue to actively and persistently defend its interests, independence and sovereignty.
He said the focus in the ministry's activities this year will be on the international recognition of Artsakh, development and establishment of relations with different countries and their subjects, deepening of relations with communities and structures of the Armenian Diaspora, settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, and preservation and strengthening of the geopolitical identity of Artsakh.
"We will conduct a proactive, courageous and goal-oriented foreign policy and our motto will be 'more actions, less words," Babayan said.
Artsakh Foreign Minister said also that a possible war (between Armenia and Azerbaijan) now is very unlikely.
"A large-scale attack on Armenia would mean an attack on the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). We have seen the recent events in Kazakhstan and the reaction of the CSTO. In case of an attack on Armenia, there will be a reaction from the Russian side at least, especially if Turkey joins in," he believes.
On the likelihood of an Azerbaijani attack against Artsakh, the foreign minister stressed that Russian peacekeepers maintain peace and stability there and an attack on Artsakh would automatically mean an attack on Russian peacekeepers and Russia.
"That would be a different war, not a war between Azerbaijan and Artsakh and Armenia. I don't think Azerbaijan doesn't understand this," he said.
Babayan said also that Azerbaijan is trying to create various obstacles for the visit of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to Artsakh.
"We are in constant communication with the co-chairs. The president of Artsakh had a meeting earlier this year in Yerevan with the new Russian co-chair, which we highly appreciate. Sooner or later this visit must take place, moreover the mediators themselves are interested in it," he said.
Babayan said also that attempts to identify the former Soviet time Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region (NKAO) and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic are absolutely unacceptable. He reminded that Artsakh has a rich history of statehood, being part of all Armenian kingdoms.
On September 27, 2020, Azerbaijani armed forces, backed by Turkey and foreign mercenaries and terrorists, attacked Nagorno-Karabakh along the entire front line using rocket and artillery weapons, heavy armored vehicles, military aircraft and prohibited types of weapons such as cluster bombs and phosphorus weapons.
After 44 days of the war, on November 9, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a statement on the cessation of all hostilities. According to the document, the town of Shushi, the districts of Agdam, Kelbajar and Lachin were handed over to Azerbaijan, with the exception of a 5-kilometer corridor connecting Karabakh with Armenia.
A Russian peacekeeping contingent was deployed along the contact line in Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor. -0
