Azerbaijani Armed Forces units opened fire in the direction of Nerkin Hand - Ministry of Defense

On December 8, around 8:20 p.m., the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire from different caliber rifles at the Armenian positions located in the Nerkin Hand direction, RA Ministry of Defense reports.

The Armenian side has no losses.

As of 23:00, the situation on the frontline is relatively stable.

Artsakh wants the UN Security Council to give the Russian peacekeeping mission an international mandate for an indefinite period

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.

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."

Prime Minister Pashinyan discussed issues related to regional security, peace, and stability with Toivo Klaar

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Toivo Klaar, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georga.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the latest developments related to the Nagorno Karabakh problem, as well as ensuring the rights and security guarantees of the Nagorno Karabakh Armenians.

Thoughts were exchanged on issues related to regional security, peace and stability, border demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the process of unblocking the transport infrastructure of the region.

During the day, Klaar also met RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirozyan.

Thoughts were exchanged on the development of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the latest developments on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, as well as the border demarcation process, and the unblocking of regional transport infrastructures.

Ararat Mirzoyan noted that the Armenian side is committed to its position of establishing peace and stability in the region, stressing that Azerbaijan's continuous provocative actions and fanatical rhetoric lead to the aggravation of the fragile security situation.

The interlocutors also referred to the activities of the EU observation mission in Armenia and highlighted its role.

Other News

• RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will leave for Kyrgyzstan on a working visit on December 9.

• Artsakh Security Council issued a clarification regarding the meeting of Security Council Secretary Vitaly Balasanyan with representatives of Azerbaijan on December 7.

• Suren Papikyan left for the Russian Federation on a working visit.