Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan, responding to the proposal of the political forces presented in the Artsakh National Assembly, convened an extended session of the Security Council of the Artsakh Republic on October 3, with the participation of a group of high-ranking officials, representatives of all parliamentary forces and the leader of the Artsakh Diocese of the AAC.

The latest military and political developments around the Republic of Artsakh were discussed. As a result of the interesting discussions that took place, the Security Council of the Republic of Artsakh unanimously issued a statement, which we present below.

"Concerned by the severe challenges caused by developments in the world and our region, reaffirming the positions of the executive and legislative wings of the Artsakh Republic authorities regarding the future of Artsakh, referring to the message of the President of the Republic of Artsakh dated September 19, taking into account the new developments following it, in particular, with all the participants of the extended session of the Security Council of the Republic of Artsakh, we announce the concerns of our public regarding some of the thoughts and views expressed in the interview given by the RA Prime Minister to the Armenian Public Television on September 30.

- We note that as a result of the Turkish-Azerbaijani aggression in 2020 and the subsequent two-year military-political developments, we actually have a situation where Azerbaijan, with the unconditional support of Turkey, has acquired influential levers and is aggressively using them to realize its most ambitious aspirations. Azerbaijan's actions are accompanied by the consistent use of force and the threat of power, the growing manifestations of the state policy of Armenian hatred, and other gross violations of the fundamental norms of international law. Using all the levers, Azerbaijan strives to ensure not only its oppressive and dictating position in relations with the Republic of Armenia but also to abort any format and efforts for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, declaring that it has solved the problem with war. Contrary to that, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries and other international actors have reaffirmed the existence of the conflict and the need for its comprehensive settlement in different formulations.

- The position of the Republic of Artsakh has always been clear that the Karabakh conflict should be settled based on complete and non-negotiable recognition of the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh and the results of its realization. Undeniably, in 1991 the people of Artsakh were self-determined by the norms of international law and USSR legislation, and Artsakh was never part of independent Azerbaijan. Moreover, the fact that the Republic of Artsakh is not recognized internationally does not mean the absence of the natural rights of the people of Artsakh and the presence of the existence of the Republic of Artsakh. Despite all the difficulties and challenges, from now on, we will continue our chosen path in the direction of self-determining and managing our destiny in our homeland.

- The long-term and stable security of Artsakh must be ensured through our defense capabilities, the indefinite mission of Russian peacekeepers, and all possible tools of the Republic of Armenia. Improving our defense capabilities is an ongoing effort under our constant focus. And Russia's peacekeeping mission, despite the additional challenges of recent months, continues to be the leading international guarantee of the security of the people of Artsakh. In this context, we consider it dangerous to attempt to worsen traditional relations with natural allies.

- The Republic of Artsakh and the Armenians of Artsakh stand by the statehood and people of Mother Armenia in overcoming all vital challenges because our national values ​​and interests imply this. We perceive that the possible signing of the interstate agreement aimed at regulating Armenia-Azerbaijan relations can become an essential basis for guaranteeing the sovereign and safe future of the Republic of Armenia and regional stability and peace. However, taking into account the inevitable presence and importance of the interests of the Artsakh Armenians, an inseparable part of the Armenian people, in these relations, we emphasize that any document that can ignore the existence of the Karabakh conflict undermines the prospect of its fair settlement, and limit the right to self-determination of the Artsakh people is unacceptable for us. And the possibilities of international recognition of the results of its implementation, including the false agenda of its subordination to the principle of territorial integrity. In that context, we highlight the periodic consultations of the Artsakh and RA authorities on the subject, within which the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia presents the details of international negotiations to the President of the Republic of Artsakh, and the President, in turn, presents the positions of the Artsakh authorities, including disagreements.

- During the past three decades, both the logic and the practical steps of the national-liberation struggle of the Armenian people and the state-building process were being built both by consolidating the pan-Armenian potential and directing the political support of our friends and allies in the right direction. Taking into account the positive experience of the past, the best guarantee for overcoming these complex and difficult challenges faced by the Armenian people is the manifestation of national unity. We have always appreciated the continuous support of the entire Armenian people and the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Artsakh, without which we could not have recorded many vital successes in our struggle. In that sense, there is simply no alternative to maintaining and strengthening the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity. National values ​​and interests imply that regardless of everything, Mother Armenia should always be next to Artsakh in all directions, especially in terms of guaranteeing the security of the people of Artsakh and international recognition of the right to self-determination.

- It is undeniable that the beneficiary of the future of Artsakh is the entire Armenian people, and the interests of Armenia and Artsakh should be considered as a whole. Considering especially the post-war context and challenges, we emphasize that until the Republic of Artsakh is included in the conflict settlement process on a fully legal basis. Within the framework of a high international format, the Republic of Armenia is obliged and authorized to represent and protect the rights and interests of the people of Artsakh on global platforms. Those obligations and powers are stipulated by several domestic and international documents of the Republic of Armenia, including OSCE documents and 2020 with the tripartite declaration of November 9. Therefore, we are ready to conduct negotiations with Azerbaijan on the settlement of the conflict in case of restoration of the full format of the talks, where the Republic of Artsakh is recognized as an entire party.

The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh will continue to actively follow the developments of the world and the region, taking appropriate steps to manage the risks arising from the situation.