The issue of Artsakh is not closed and is more relevant today than ever: Genesis Armenia’s statement

Genesis Armenia Think Tank/Foundation has issued a statement on the popular referendum held in Artsakh 33 years ago on this day.

“On Dec. 10, 1991, a popular referendum was held in Artsakh, in which 99 percent of the local population voted in favor of independence. Prior to this, on Dec. 8, the Belovezha Accords was signed, effectively ending the existence of the USSR.

The independence of Artsakh was declared earlier than that of the Republic of Armenia, on Sept. 2, 1991. The culmination of the Artsakh movement’s entire tactical efforts since 1988 was this referendum, through which the Armenian people expressed their free will for self-determination. Subsequently, the issue of international recognition of the Republic of Artsakh and ensuring its security became one of the main directions of Armenia’s foreign policy.

This situation continued for nearly three decades until May 2018. Following the change of power in Armenia, the current administration brought the negotiation process of the Artsakh conflict to a deadlock, demonstrating unprincipled concessionary policy and failing to adhere to its obligations under the Constitution of Armenia and the decision of the Supreme Council of Armenia from 1992, resulting in the loss of Artsakh’s subjectivity, a devastating war, and displacement.

The Artsakh issue is not closed and is more relevant today than ever; it is only closed for Azerbaijan, Turkey, and the current anti-national regime of Armenia. Various geopolitical centers are increasingly voicing the issue of the Armenian people’s return to Artsakh. The fundamental legal act of this process is undoubtedly the fact of the Independence Referendum, through which the majority Armenian population, despite the genocidal policies of Soviet Azerbaijan, said yes and reaffirmed its stance with the victory earned in the First Artsakh War.

Considering the statement made last year by Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan, where he said that ‘No document can dissolve a republic created by the people,’ Genesis Armenia, announces its commitment to the restoration of the Republic of Artsakh, formed by the collective will of Artsakh and the entire Armenian nation through the referendum of Dec. 10, and to the implementation of a reasonable, realistic, and balanced strategy for the return of our compatriots to Artsakh.

All of this can be achieved through the establishment of national authorities in Yerevan, to which the inalienability of Armenian rights is fundamental and the national-state interests of Armenia, Artsakh, and the Armenian people are absolute. Only through the formation of national authorities and the development of qualitative and mutually beneficial relations with friendly and allied nations and states can we withstand the security challenges facing Armenia.

The return to Artsakh will happen.”