In order for us to stay in Artsakh, we need unity first of all, it is necessary for all Armenians to be firm and ready to help Artsakh, to participate in the cause of saving Artsakh. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Foreign Minister David Babayan told Armenian News-NEWS.am this in the Artsakh capital Stepanakert.
"There are all possibilities that Artsakh will remain Armenian, keep its identity, and Azerbaijan will not devour Artsakh once and for all because after the destruction of Artsakh, the destruction of Armenia will come. Let no one have illusions here. Therefore, first of all, we must psychologically get out of this difficult situation—and the process is already underway. Yes, we are badly wounded in body, yes, our heart is full of blood, it is in wounds, we have unhealed wounds, but psychologically, first of all, we have to overcome all that. Once we overcome and restore the power of our spirit, the rest of the issues will be technical," Babayan said.
Asked whether there was an official invitation from Artsakh to Armenia’s authorities to participate in Stepanakert in the anniversary of Artsakh's independence, David Babayan responded: "In general, this is open; whoever wants, comes. I saw representatives of various political forces, the Prosecutor General of Armenia was here. These ceremonial things can be put aside; the main task is for us to be able to save Artsakh. There are no festive events as such, but there are people’s visits, marches, and large rallies. We are obligated to mark this holiday, but the day shall come for us to celebrate it as well. We have to do everything to get out of this difficult situation."
Referring to the Pashinyan-Aliyev-Michel meeting in Brussels where, according to press statements, there was no mention of Artsakh, David Babayan said: "It is not important that there be a speech or a word about Artsakh. Everyone knows our position. Any status within Azerbaijan is unacceptable for us, therefore this is the red line that our boys have drawn with their blood. The important thing is to prevent Azerbaijan and Turkey from trying to violate those red lines."
Regarding the signing of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, the FM of Artsakh said: "We are not against the peace treaty, let there be a peace treaty if it will normalize relations between the two countries. But the problem is that Azerbaijan will try to do everything with that peace treaty so that Armenia recognizes Artsakh as a part of Azerbaijan. I don't think this will succeed, but Azerbaijan will try; and we need to say that this is unacceptable. If Artsakh was annexed to Azerbaijan, it will be Yerevan's turn. Turkey and Azerbaijan will try to insert in that agreement a point where they will try to force Armenia to recognize Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. Armenia will not recognize [it]."
And when asked if he is sure about that, the Artsakh FM responded: "There is no other option. I can't imagine any Armenian, leader of Armenia—regardless of political views—who might recognize Artsakh as a part of Azerbaijan because after that Yerevan should also be recognized as the capital of Western Azerbaijan, plus we apologize that we lived here and used Azerbaijani goods in an illegal way for our interests."
