Tomorrow I will submit my letter of resignation from the post of President of the Republic of Artsakh to the people and the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) President Arayik Harutyunyan noted this in a statement he issued on Thursday. The statement reads as follows, in particular:
As a result of being elected as the President of the Artsakh Republic by the people of Artsakh, I assumed the powers of the President on May 21, 2020. From the very next day, I started the task of strengthening Artsakh's defense capability, ensuring the inviolability of Artsakh's borders. Unfortunately, just four months later, the 44-day war was unleashed by Azerbaijan, which ended in our defeat. Of course, one can put all the blame for the defeat on the four-month president of Artsakh, and I do not refuse accountability at all; but believe [me], each of us had his share of accountability, each according to his status and abilities. In any case, I have stated several times, now I publicly apologize again to the Armenian people for my share of guilt, but I assure [you] again that during the 44-day war in 2020, I took all the steps within my power and actual authority, maybe even more.
I assure [you] that the situation was no less difficult even after the 44-day war, and the created situation did not require less accountability. Artsakh was on the brink of destruction, and there was an urgent need to ensure internal stability and strength again. It seemed that the post-war depression and psychophysiological burden must have overcome me, but I found the strength to take responsibility even then. Throughout that time, I have directed all my potential to strengthen the internal stability in Artsakh, to prevent the increase of criminality assumed in those conditions, to ensure the repatriation of Artsakh citizens, to keep the constitutional order of the country and the pillars of statehood standing. Yes, we did not succeed in some issues, but in general, in the shortest period of time, we not only straightened the country's crooked back, but also brought life back to a certain stable path.
Perhaps that was also the reason why Azerbaijan, ready to destroy us at any cost, started the blockade of Artsakh from December 12, 2022, and the complete siege from June 15, 2023. It happened also because, despite the daily provocations and repressions against the people of Artsakh, our people continued their sacred work of building Artsakh.
For almost nine months now, Artsakh has been under the Azerbaijani blockade, and the hostage-taken people of Artsakh are being subjected to open genocide. During this period, we have taken all possible measures within our capabilities to present the situation to the world and to receive the support of the international community. Twice the issue was discussed even in the UN Security Council, twice the UN International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights have made decisions on unblocking Artsakh, many statements and calls were made by hundreds of international entities. However, the aggressive behavior of Azerbaijan was not prevented in any way.
Today's unstable geopolitical situation in the world, regional events and forecasted developments, phenomena happening in and around Artsakh, Artsakh's internal political and social atmosphere directly suggest that there is a need to change approaches and steps, to show flexibility. In order to achieve the noted, it is necessary to change the main players in Artsakh, starting with me.
My life story and Azerbaijan's attitude towards it artificially create a number of conditions that cause significant problems from the point of view of building our next steps and conducting a flexible policy. In addition, the defeat in the war and the subsequent difficulties in the country have considerably reduced as well the trust in the authorities, especially the President, which has seriously hindered the further course of proper governance. Therefore, the change must start with me. Tomorrow I will submit my letter of resignation from the post of President of the Republic of Artsakh to the people and the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh. I made this final decision two days ago, taking into account my interactions with all internal and external players and the general public in recent weeks. This is a considered decision made solely by me, based on the results of the analysis of the data I have.
Prior to that, by my decree today, Artsakh Republic Minister of State Gurgen Nersisyan has been relieved of his post, and Security Council Secretary Samvel Sergey Shahramanyan has been appointed Minister of State, who has been given broad powers. When making the choice of Samvel Shahramanyan, I took into account his principles, flexibility, his work experience in various responsible positions, and accumulated knowledge directly related to both national security and public administration.
I express my gratitude to Gurgen Nersisyan, and I want to stress in particular that the significance of his work for the state during the days of the 44-day war in 2020, the period following it, and during the blockade is invaluable. He assumed the position of the state minister in the most difficult times for Artsakh, he did hard and transparent work in those difficult conditions in order to alleviate the burden that plagued the people of Artsakh, and with his character of fighting, persistently and courageously moving forward, he was able to overcome many problems. I am convinced that his knowledge and principled, fair, uncompromising, and firm character will continue to serve Artsakh and our people.
Dear compatriots, I will continue to live in Artsakh, with the members of my family in Artsakh, I will mainly be engaged in ensuring the security of Artsakh, I will continue to bear my share of responsibility for the future of Artsakh, and I will assist the current authorities of the country. This step of mine is aimed also at ensuring internal stability and strong public order in Artsakh. Despite all difficulties, our internal stability and public solidarity is a prerequisite for all success, from which any deviation or attempt to deviate must be ruled out.
Peace, prosperity, and eternity to the Artsakh world and the Armenian nation!
