On February 23, a government meeting was held under the leadership of Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan.

As we learn from the press release of the Artsakh president's office, the head of the country presented the military-political and socio-economic situation created in the Republic as a result of Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh, the measures taken by the authorities to solve the arising problems.

At the government meeting, President Harutyunyan also published the decree on the dismissal of Ruben Vardanyan from the post of a state minister. He highly appreciated Vardanyan's efforts both in raising international awareness about Artsakh and solving many internal problems during the blockade.

"Ruben Vardanyan and I have been together during this whole time, following the events and developments happening both in Artsakh and in the outside world on a daily basis, we have constantly exchanged ideas about solutions to the existing situation. I am grateful to Mr. Vardanyan for the fact that he always tried to share the responsibility with me to the maximum extent in both friendly and partnership relations and did not try to put it on me by referring to the constitutional norms. But on the other hand, he was aware and understanding of the scope and extent of my personal responsibility for the situation created in Artsakh and all future problems," the head of state emphasized.