Arayik Harutyunyan, the de-facto President of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh, who was in France on a working visit, gave an interview with to "France 24" TV.
"Today, peace is guaranteed by the Russian peacekeeping mission located in Nagorno-Karabakh, whose mandate is until 2025, but there is a need to supplement it with international guarantees, bearing in mind that the right to self-determination and independence are the only guarantees of the security of the people of Karabakh, according to the statement of November 9, 2020," Harutyunyan said.
Harutyunyan noted that the primary task of the [de-facto] Nagorno-Karabakh authorities is to create conditions for the residence, life, and work of 40,000 refugees, but Azerbaijan prevents it in every way. As evidence, he pointed to daily ceasefire violations and the latest incident in the Lachin Corridor.
The de-facto President of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh thanked the French National Assembly for the unanimous vote. Notably, after the 2020 war, the French legislative authorities adopted four resolutions demanding the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh's independence.
During the visit, the de-facto President of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh had meetings with French political circles. "Of course, I am sorry that the French executive power, the president, did not accept it; it would be a step forward. But I hope such a meeting will be organized in the future to help us," he added.
In response to the question about Nagorno-Karabakh's participation in the negotiations, Harutyunyan expressed regret that no one is negotiating with Nagorno-Karabakh: "Azerbaijan refuses any negotiations with us. We have contacts with the Azerbaijani authorities on social and humanitarian issues, but never on the status or future. I am also sorry that there are no international negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding Nagorno-Karabakh."
The journalist asked whether Nagorno-Karabakh would agree to autonomy within Azerbaijan. Arayik Harutyunyan said that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh made their choice during the collapse of the USSR, which was independence. He stressed that that right is enshrined in the Constitution of Nagorno-Karabakh. "Nagorno-Karabakh has no future as part of Azerbaijan; we are ready for a normal neighborhood, but the status of independence is not a subject of negotiation," he emphasized.
