Artsakh struggle is about self-defense, physical survival of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, Ambassador Mnatsakanyan says
The Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN, Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan participated in the UN Security Council’s Open Debate on conflicts in Europe
and delivered a statement. As the press department at the ministry of foreign affairs reports, the Armenian Ambassador highlighted that what identifies the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is a struggle for human rights, freedom and self-determination, in light of historical injustice and persistent discrimination.
“It is a struggle, which witnessed barbaric pogroms against Armenians in Baku, Sumgait, Kirovabad and other parts of Azerbaijan as a reaction to the legitimate aspirations of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to freely determine their future. It is a struggle for self-defence and physical survival of the people of Nagorno Karabakh as a result of an outright aggression, war and ethnic cleansing. It is a struggle against barbarity of a regime, which ruthlessly glorifies Ramil Safarov, a murderer, who in 2004 axes to death an Armenian officer while asleep, during a military training course. It is a struggle against a claim of jurisdiction by a regime, which persistently cultivates and inspires Armenophobia, hatred and intolerance against Armenians. It is a struggle for freedom and survival”, - explained the Armenian Ambassador.
Referring to the renewed attempt of aggression by Azerbaijan against Nagorno Karabakh at the beginning of April 2016 and ensuing perpetration of atrocities and outright barbarity, Ambassador Mnatsakanyan noted that the Armenian side has consistently informed the Council, and that the international community should forcefully reject the use of force and any pursuit of a military solution to this conflict. It was highlighted that instead, immediate and genuine steps should be undertaken towards the implementation of the agreements reached at the summits in Vienna and St. Petersburg in May and June 2016, in order to create conditions conducive to the advancement of the peace process. In conclusion, the Armenian Ambassador expressed deep appreciation to the international community, to the Security Council and to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for their continued and unwavering support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, the only internationally agreed format of negotiations for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, to reach a lasting settlement as soon as possible.