Araik Harutyunyan has announced his resignation from the post of President of Nagorno-Karabakh. In his place, the country will be led by Security Council Secretary Samvel Shahramanyan, the appointed Minister of State with broad powers.
“Dear compatriots,
As a result of being elected President of the Artsakh Republic by the people of Artsakh, I assumed the powers of the President on May 21, 2020. From the very next day, I started strengthening Artsakh’s defense capability, ensuring the inviolability of Artsakh’s borders. Unfortunately, just four months later, a 44-day war was unleashed by Azerbaijan, which ended in our defeat. Of course, one can blame the loss on the four-month-old President of Artsakh, and I do not refuse responsibility at all, but believe me, each of us had his share of responsibility, each according to his status and abilities. In any case, I have repeatedly stated that I publicly apologize to the Armenian people for my share of guilt. Still, I assure you again that in 2020, During the 44-day war, I took all the steps within my power and actual authority, maybe even more.
I assure you that the situation was more manageable even after the 44-day war, and the new case did not require less responsibility. Artsakh was on the brink of destruction. There was an urgent need to ensure internal stability and strength again. It seemed that the post-war depression and psychophysiological burden must have overcome me, but I found the power to take responsibility even then. Throughout that time, I have directed all my potential to strengthen the internal stability in Artsakh, prevent the increase of criminality assumed in those conditions, ensure the repatriation of Artsakh citizens, and to keep the constitutional order of the country and the pillars of statehood standing. Yes, we did not succeed in some issues, but in general, in the shortest period, we not only straightened the country’s crooked back but also brought life back to a particular stable path.
Maybe that is why Azerbaijan is ready to destroy us at any price and commit genocide in 2022. The blockade of Artsakh began on December 12, and in 2023, starting on June 15, the total siege began. It also happened because, despite the daily provocations and repressions against the people of Artsakh, our people continued their sacred work of building Artsakh.
For almost nine months, Artsakh has been under the Azerbaijani blockade, and the hostage-taking people of Artsakh are subjected to open genocide. During this period, we have taken all possible measures within our capabilities to present the situation to the world and to receive the international community’s support. The issue was discussed even in the UN Security Council, twice in the UN International Court of Justice, and the European Court of Human Rights decided on unblocking Artsakh. Hundreds made many statements and calls to international entities. However, the aggressive behavior of Azerbaijan was not prevented in any way.
Today’s unstable geopolitical situation in the world, regional events and forecasted developments, phenomena happening in and around Artsakh, and Artsakh’s internal political and social atmosphere directly suggest that there is a need to change approaches and steps to show flexibility. To achieve the above, it is necessary to change the main actors in Artsakh, starting with me.
My biography and Azerbaijan’s attitude towards it artificially create several conditions that cause significant problems from the point of view of building our next steps and conducting a flexible policy. In addition, the defeat in the war and the subsequent difficulties in the country have significantly reduced the trust in the authorities, especially the President, which has seriously hindered the further course of proper governance. Therefore, the change must start with me. Tomorrow, I will present my resignation from the post of President of the Republic of Artsakh to the people and the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh. I made this final decision two days ago, taking into account my interactions with all internal and external actors and the general public in recent weeks. This is a decision made solely by me based on the results of the analysis of my data.
Before that, by my decree today, Artsakh Republic State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan was relieved of his post. Security Council Secretary Samvel Sergey Shahramanyan was appointed State Minister and was given broad powers. When choosing Samvel Shahramanyan, I considered his principles, flexibility, work experience in various responsible positions, and accumulated knowledge directly related to national security and state administration.
I thank Gurgen Nersisyan and emphasize that it is invaluable in 2020. The significance of his work for the state during the 44-day war, the period following it, and during the siege. He assumed the state minister position in the most challenging times for Artsakh. He did hard and transparent work in those difficult conditions to alleviate the burden plaguing Artsakh’s people. With his character of fighting, persistently and courageously moving forward, he was able to overcome many problems. His knowledge and moral, fair, uncompromising, and firm texture will continue to serve Artsakh and our people.
Dear compatriots, I will continue to live with my family members in Artsakh. This step also aims to ensure internal stability and solid public order in Artsakh. Against all odds, our inner stability and public solidarity are prerequisites for all success, from which any deviation or attempt to deviate must be excluded.
Peace, prosperity, and eternity to the Artsakh world and the Armenian nation,” said his message.
