The Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) National Assembly (NA), in its regular session Wednesday, among other matters on its agenda, is discussing the draft NA statement on ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan.

Before that, however, NA speaker Artur Tovmasyan made the following statement:

"The blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan ever since December 12, 2022 took a tragic turn on March 5 and June 28. On June 28, from 1:30am, the units of the Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire, from artillery and UAVs, in the direction of the Armenian positions of Martakert and Martuni [regions]. As a result of another Azerbaijani provocation, the Armenian side has four casualties. Eternal glory to the Armenians who sacrificed their lives while defending the borders of Armenia and Artsakh!

"Azerbaijan is not only deliberately starving the population of Artsakh, but has brought it to the brink of annihilation. Artsakh has never been and will never be part of independent Azerbaijan, and any discussion about it is unacceptable for us. It is our red line which no one has the right to violate.

"The OSCE co-chairs and the leaders of these countries must understand that the annexation of our country to Azerbaijan will lead to the de-Armenianization and destruction of Artsakh. We cannot change the order of the world; small Artsakh does not pose a threat, but the right of our people to live safely and fully is at risk. It is unfortunate that all this happens with the tacit consent of the international community.

"I highly appreciate the PACE resolution entitled "Ensuring free and safe access through the Lachin Corridor," the statements in the US Congress on the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, the France-Artsakh Friendship Circle statement: ‘We must move from words to action.’"

"I believe the civilized world has all the leverage to apply corresponding sanctions against the Azerbaijani regime, as Azerbaijan not only disregards, but also tramples the decisions of the International Courts of Justice of the ECtHR."