The process of the withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping troops from the territory of the Republic of Artsakh occupied by Azerbaijan, which started a few days ago, is very worrying for the 150 thousand Artsakh citizens who were deported from their homeland months ago under the real threat of genocide. In the previous months, for the legitimate authorities elected by the people of the Republic of Artsakh and for the factions of the National Assembly, the issue of dignified and collective return has been and continues to be a priority, in which guaranteeing of our fundamental rights and security is of cornerstone importance.

After September 27, 2020, our region has ended up in the realm of serious transformations, and the situation created after the 44-day war [of 2020] does not in any way guarantee the expected and promised lasting peace and stability. The people of Artsakh, regardless of their will, found themselves in the trap of the provisions of the Trilateral Declaration of November 9, 2020, and believed in the assurances of the high leadership of the Russian Federation to ensure their security. We are forced to record with pain and regret that the fate of the people of Artsakh became a matter of secondary importance for all the parties that signed the Trilateral Declaration, due to which Artsakh was completely depopulated of Armenians in September 2023.

At the same time, it is obvious that the absence of an international presence in Artsakh will give additional freedom to the military and political leadership of Azerbaijan, which is implementing a policy of destroying ‘everything Armenian’ and erasing the Armenian trace in general. In such a situation, the centuries-old Armenian spiritual, cultural monuments, Armenian property, and national property will be under threat.

It is an inalienable right of the people of Artsakh to live safely and securely in their millennium-old homeland with international guarantees, the preservation of all rights and freedoms, and the three factions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh are concerned that the withdrawal of international organizations from Artsakh in general, and the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping troops in particular, endangers that right. At the same time, we consider it important to emphasize that making such decisions without discussions with the representatives of the native people of the region, the Artsakh Armenians, is unacceptable and cannot in any way contribute to the establishment of stable, long-term peace, and the resolution of the problem.

Based on the above, the factions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh urge the relevant structures of the Russian Federation and their officials to immediately start consultations and discussions with the legally elected representatives of the people of Artsakh about the real reasons for the withdrawal of the RF peacekeeping troops from the territory of the Republic of Artsakh, the catastrophic situation created as a result, the many challenges caused, and on making the necessary efforts to overcome them.

Justice Faction

ARF Dashnaktsutyun Faction

Democratic Party of Artsakh Faction

Yerevan, 19. 04. 2024