Today, Artsakh’s peace is ensured by the Russian peacekeeping mission, but since that period ends in 2025, we need more fundamental international guarantees in terms of security, Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan stated in an interview with “France 24”.
“Today, the fate of Artsakh Armenians is in danger, genocide, ethnic cleansing, there is no difference for us, if we have to leave Artsakh, it is equivalent to death for us, we have lived in our land for thousands of years and we want to continue living in our land, this is our right earned for thousands of years,” he said.
What does Artsakh expect from France, talking about international fundamental guarantees, is Stepanakert considering the deployment of international or specifically French peacekeeping forces after the end of the Russian peacekeeping mission? Acting Foreign Minister of Artsakh Davit Babayan, who is in France with Arayik Harutyunyan, explained to Azatutyan that they want the UN Security Council (SC) to give the Russian peacekeeping mission an international mandate for an indefinite period.
“Under direct international guarantees, you understand that the best option is for the same UN Security Council to grant an international mandate to the Russian peacekeeping mission, that is, they also authorize the presence and deployment of Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh not only until 2025 but also indefinitely, as the conflict has not been settled,” the acting minister stated.
According to Davit Babayan, this does not mean that the West should wash its hands, it can use other levers to put pressure on Azerbaijan because Artsakh is under the threat of genocide.
“The civilized world should also take steps, it is not necessary that they come through peacekeepers. Is there no other way to help and support Artsakh?”
To the question of what messages were sent in the meetings with the French senators, Davit Babayan answered: “Exactly those messages that Artsakh is in danger, that the civilized world is not right to be indifferent or passive at all.”
In addition to the problem of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan also spoke about the threat to Armenia on the air of “France 24”. Answering the French journalist’s question that if Nagorno Karabakh no longer exists, will Armenia be in Azerbaijan’s sights at the next stage, Arayik Harutyunyan said that undoubtedly, Azerbaijan and Turkey do not even hide their plans for Syunik, Zangezur under the name of the transport connection, calling it a “corridor”.
“Of course, we understand the goal. It will not end with Artsakh, and Armenia and the people of Armenia are at risk. In September, Azerbaijani forces invaded the sovereign territory of Armenia, and this is clear proof of that.”
The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs informed that since December 5, the President of Artsakh, who has been in France, has already had meetings in the French National Assembly, and the Senate, Arayik Harutyunyan has also met with the mayor of Paris, representatives of the Armenian community. There was no official invitation.
