On October 29, Arayik Harutyunyan, the de-facto President of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh, stated on Facebook that in recent days, the attention of all Armenians, without exaggeration, has been riveted on the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

"Several power centers submitted proposals to the authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the key issues regarding the settlement," he added. Harutyunyan said: "In case of their acceptance and realization, the proposed principles and approaches will have crucial importance for both the Republic  Nagorno-Karabakh and its people, Armenia, and other countries of the region."

"That is why we have no right to make mistakes, as any of them may become fatal. We are confident that those proposals and principles that deny the right of the people of Karabakh to self-determination, deprive them of the prospects of a fair settlement of the conflict, and bring into question the existence of Karabakh should be rejected once and forever. This stems not only from the interests of the Republic of Karabakh but also those of the entire Armenian people, as the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Karabakh form a single homeland and an inseparable set of values and interests", he added.

"We welcome the statement of the Prime Minister of Armenia (Nikol Pashinyan) stating that Armenia agreed to work towards the establishment of interstate relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan in early September of the current year, based on the principles and parameters presented by Russia, and is ready to reaffirm this at the high-level meeting to be held in Sochi on October 31," the de-facto President of the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh stated.

"Of course, as a result of the negotiation process, we would like to achieve a fair and final settlement of the Karabakh conflict and international recognition of the independent status of the Republic of Karabakh. However, considering the existing challenges and limited possibilities, in our opinion, the Russian proposals mostly meet the minimum standards that ensure the security of Karabakh and do not throw into question its future," he continued.

"We voice hope that as a result of the tripartite summit to be held on October 31, it will be possible to ensure the elements related to the fate of Nagorno-Karabakh.  First of all, we are talking about the untimely extension of the mission of the Russian peacekeeping troops deployed in Karabakh.  Their presence in Karabkh is vital because, since November 2020, Russian peacekeepers have borne the main responsibility for the security of the Republic of Karabakh and its people.  The second key parameter is the maintenance of at least the current status of Karabakh," Harutyunyan expressed.

According to him, the statement of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during the meeting of the "Valdai" International Club inspires certain hopes that these goals are entirely achievable. "We anticipate that the vital interests of the Karabakh Republic and, first of all, the inalienable right of the Karabakh people to self-determination will be fully protected during the upcoming negotiations.  International recognition of the right of the people of Karabakh to self-determination and the results of the realization of that right have no alternative," he continued.

"We are confident that with joint efforts, we will succeed in preventing the legitimization of the consequences of the illegal use of force by Azerbaijan and its allies against the Republic of Karabakh, thus ensuring conditions for a safe and prosperous future for our homeland and people," Harutyunyan concluded.

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