Radar Armenia spoke with Aram Harutyunyan, deputy of the “Free Motherland-KMD” faction of the Nagorno-Karabakh National Assembly, about the situation created in the Lachin corridor, the announcements from Artsakh and ways to find a way out of the problem.
– Yesterday, Ruben Vardanyan announced that more than the efforts made by Armenia to resolve the situation in the Lachin Corridor is needed. How would you interpret this? Do you share that opinion?
– To be honest, the efforts made by all of us are insufficient until the problem is solved. Only when the issue is resolved will our actions be considered sufficient. The authorities in both Artsakh and Armenia are responsible for the situation and must invest their efforts until the issue is resolved.
– What are your expectations from Armenia? In your opinion, what can Armenia do that it still needs to do?
– I don’t want to say in that context that Armenia should do something, but it didn’t. The problem is comprehensive. Artsakh, Armenia, and Russia should do everything to resolve the issue. Until then, we should use our tools to the maximum and keep the case on the agenda daily. I think there is not enough awareness at the public level because we see that people live everyday life. Still, the fact is that 120 thousand of their compatriots are in captivity, under siege, and have fundamental household problems that they cannot solve.
– What are the expectations from the public? What should they do to make the issue heard?
– The toolkit available today is that we must give a solution by force. Still, at the moment, Artsakh and Armenia can only face its consequences, and we must work with the international community. And for that, we all should collectively publicize this issue on all available platforms daily. If we slowly adapt to the situation, we will condemn the people living in Artsakh to slow destruction.
– Ruben Vardanyan believes that the number of Russian peacekeepers should be increased, and their term should be extended; he notes that there is no need to criticize the Russian peacekeepers. What do you think about that?
– Russia is carrying out a mission on the ground today, and we should stick to this. But, on the other hand, we should not criticize, show their omissions and regularly discuss them. Maybe not so publicly, more during internal contacts, but we must record the problems and deletions so that the Russian government can apply appropriate tools and makes the security mechanisms more effective.
– As you know, Yael Braun-Pivet, the Speaker of the National Assembly of France, is in Armenia. He announced today during the press conference that France does not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is by the international law to which they are subject. I want your comment in this regard.
-Until now, we see that we have not provided a tangible process. On the other hand, if the international community wants to help, it should take clear and drastic steps because the issues are not solved only by calling and accusing Azerbaijan. Of course, such calls blow Azerbaijan’s image and reputation, but Aliyev does not pay much attention to it. To force Azerbaijan and protect the rights of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, it is necessary to use a stricter tool and make binding decisions. Otherwise, the international community will turn a blind eye in the 21st century, and we will have an example of a new genocide.
– Should the international community apply sanctions or recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh?
– Of course, sanctions should be applied, but the recognition of Artsakh can also solve this issue. And I would like to refer to the HRD, who mentioned in his speech that the countries that recognized the Armenian Genocide should also recognize the independence of Artsakh, preventing internal genocide. And, in my opinion, salvation can also be here.
