Work needs to be started to ensure Armenians` safe return to  Nagorno-Karabakh - Samvel Shahramanyan

ArmInfo. Work needs to be started to ensure Armenians' safe return to Nagorno-Karabakh, President of  Nagorno-Karabakh Samvel Shahramanyan said in an interview with Artsakh Public Television.

According to him, discussions on this issue must begin as soon as  possible in order to find ways to resolve it. The President of  Nagorno-Karabakh noted that all geopolitical centers - the USA,  Russia, Europe - are interested in the issue of returning the  population. "It seems to me that Azerbaijan is also interested in  this, and Azerbaijan is being accused of committing actions that  contributed to the forced displacement of the population,"  Shahramanyan said.  

Speaking about the events that occurred after his election as  President of the Republic of Artsakh, the leader of Nagorno-Karabakh  pointed to the military actions of September 19-29.

Together with the Defense Army, other security forces, as well as the  population, retaliatory military actions began, and it was thanks to  these measures that it was possible to begin negotiations with the  Azerbaijani side, which lasted about 12 hours," said the Artsakh  leader, pointing at the same time to the inequality of forces. For  this reason, it was possible to establish contact with high-ranking  representatives of the Azerbaijani side, negotiations with whom were  conducted before the outbreak of hostilities on September 19.

Taking into account that the Azerbaijani side suffered quite heavy  losses, and our areas were already surrounded, the enemy approached  Stepanakert and was very close to the area called Krkzhan, we had no  choice but to make certain concessions. I suggested that they send  their demands in writing for an immediate cessation of hostilities.  We did not accept the first document, and we and a large team, which  included the entire Security Council, ex-presidents, almost all  political forces, constantly held discussions, made changes and  informed the Azerbaijani side

He emphasized that as a result of the negotiations, a document was  adopted that provided for a complete cessation of hostilities at  13:00 on September 20, the second point provided for the dissolution  of the Defense Army, the withdrawal of the remnants of the Armenian  armed forces, including the transfer of heavy military equipment for  its further disposal. "It is clear that such a formulation as  "withdrawal of the remnants of the Armed Forces of the Republic of  Armenia" was unacceptable for us, but this was the demand of the  Azerbaijani side. And, as you know, the third part planned a meeting  in Yevlakh on the 21st, where integration issues presented by the  Azerbaijani side were to be discussed. We had one goal: to save the  lives of the residents of Artsakh, to save the lives of soldiers and  officers of our army, which, I think, we managed to do," said Samvel  Shahramanyan.

Regarding his decree of September 28, which abolishes the  Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from January 1, 2024, Shahramanyan said  that the second document, the presidential decree, which became the  subject of much discussion, became the price for the safe withdrawal  of the population. Also, the first paragraph of this document  provided that military personnel would also be able to leave safely,  just like our population with their cars and property. The second  point provided for the dissolution of the state system, as a result  of which the Republic of Artsakh would cease to exist. The third  point provided that our population, after familiarizing itself with  the integration program presented by the Azerbaijani side, should  independently and voluntarily make a decision - to stay, leave or  return to Artsakh to live.

This document has received wide discussion, and there are accusations  that the President of Artsakh signed a document dissolving the  Republic of Artsakh. But our population does not know the main reason  for the adoption of this document, which allowed the same population  to safely leave Artsakh. Without delving into this document, I want  to state that we know the strength and capabilities of this document,  and we will still have time to refer to it.