Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, who is on a working visit to France, gave an interview with "France 24" TV and said that the primary task of the Artsakh authorities is to create conditions for the residence, life, and work of 40,000 refugees. Still, Azerbaijan is preventing it in every way.

As evidence, he pointed out the daily ceasefire violations and the latest incident in the Lachin Corridor.
"The requirement of the resolution adopted by the National Assembly of France: the people of Karabakh should be protected by international law. Is that what you want?" asked the commentator of the TV station.

"Of course, peace today is guaranteed by the statement of November 9, 2020, by the Russian peacekeeping mission located in Artsakh, whose mandate is until 2025, but there is a need to supplement it with international guarantees, bearing in mind that the right to self-determination and independence is the only guarantee of the security of the people of Karabakh Araik Harutyunyan replied.

The journalist reminded me that no country had recognized Nagorno Ghaabagh, and President Harutyunyan is in France, probably to receive that country's support. "You were accepted by the French political circles but not by the President of the Republic. Do you regret it?'
Araik Harutyunyan first thanked the French National Assembly for the unanimous vote. After the war of 2020, the legislative authorities of France adopted four resolutions demanding the recognition of the independence of Artsakh. "Of course, I am sorry that the French executive power, the president, did not accept it; it would be a step forward. But I hope such a meeting will be organized to help us," he said.

In response to the question about Artsakh's participation in the negotiations, the president of Artsakh expressed regret that no one is negotiating with Artsakh. "Azerbaijan refuses any negotiations with us. We have contacts with the Azerbaijani authorities on social and humanitarian issues, but never on the status or future. I am also sorry that there are no international negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding Artsakh."

The journalist asked the president whether Artsakh would agree to autonomy within Azerbaijan. Arayik Harutyunyan said that the people of Artsakh made their choice during the collapse of the USSR, that is, independence, and that right is enshrined in the Constitution of Artsakh. "Artsakh has no future as part of Azerbaijan, we are ready for a normal neighborhood, but the status of independence is not a subject of negotiation," stressed Araik Harutyunyan.
"And why not reunification with Armenia?" the journalist asked.

"Reunification with Armenia is the dream of every Armenian and Artsakh citizen, but it is not possible from the point of view of international law," Araik Harutyunyan said.