YEREVAN, MAY 23, ARTSAKHPRESS. The Government of Armenia is consulting with authorities of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) before and after every negotiation with Azerbaijan, Member of Parliament Artur Hovhannisyan representing the ruling Civil Contract party said on May 23.
“For the record, before and after every negotiation we consult with the authorities of Artsakh, and the authorities of Artsakh have always been aware of everything,” Hovhannisyan told reporters.
“Regarding the statements by the Parliament of Artsakh, we understand that the parliament is a representative body comprised of different political entities, and I find the various statements to be very normal,” he added, referring to the latest statement by the Parliament of Artsakh criticizing Prime Minister Pashinyan for his May 22 comments that Armenia is ready to recognize Azerbaijan’s 86,600 km2 territorial integrity which includes Nagorno Karabakh.
The legislator noted that the objective of the Armenian authorities is to ensure the 29,800 square kilometers of sovereign, internationally recognized territory of Armenia, and ensure the rights and security of the Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh.
“Our compatriots living in Nagorno Karabakh must live in their land safely, and exercise their rights. We see this road through Baku-Stepanakert dialogue under international mechanisms, where the people of Artsakh – as voiced by lawmakers yesterday in the Artsakh parliament – can exercise their right to self-determination and all other rights, while the Republic of Armenia will support our compatriots of Artsakh through all diplomatic channels in this issue,” Hovhannisyan said.
On May 22, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia is ready to recognize Azerbaijan’s 86,600 km2 territorial integrity, which includes Nagorno Karabakh, but the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh must be discussed through Baku-Stepanakert dialogue.
