The next key objective for solution to the Artsakh issue is preparing the peoples for peace. This is what Armenia’s Premier Nikol Pashinyan declared during the joint session of the National Security Councils of Armenia and Artsakh in Stepanakert on 12 March.

“I deem it necessary to underline the fact that preparing the peoples for peace cannot be the particular objective of any one of the governments involved in the negotiations. It is a common task.

What I mean is that, for instance, preparing the Azerbaijani society for peace must be done by not only the Azerbaijani authorities, but also with the participation of the Armenian authorities. It is the awareness of this that, in the fall of 2018, made me make a statement in the National Assembly that was, in essence, unprecedented in the Armenian reality, saying that any solution to the Karabakh issue must be acceptable for the people of Armenia, the people of Artsakh and the people of Azerbaijan.”

Pashinyan noted that, unfortunately, Armenia and Artsakh don’t see adequate actions and statements from the President of Azerbaijan. “In spite of this, I am ready to continue the dialogue with not only the President of Azerbaijan, but also the people of Azerbaijan because I am certain that the people of Azerbaijan are as peace-loving as the peoples of Armenia and Artsakh.”