Artsakh ex-PM offers Azerbaijan joint usage of Sarsang water reservoir

Chairman of the Free Homeland party Arayik Harutyunyan has released a statement.

“Free Homeland party has already expressed its position over the first official meeting between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani president IlLham Aliyev. We have particularly hailed the importance of maintenance of ceasefire regime between the two conflicting armies and humanitarian cooperation. Besides, we still believe and claim that the negotiations may be succeeded only in case of involvement of official Stepanakert,” the statement says.

The former PM of Artsakh said he wants to make two suggestions regarding humanitarian cooperation which may be discussed at the upcoming meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“First, the airspace of Artsakh must be open for international flights. In this context, we highlight the re-launch of the Stepanakert airport, which will also enable the realization of fundamental human rights, especially the right to freedom of movement. I am convinced that in that case, the regional communication capabilities will be expanded, and the Artsakh armed forces will ensure the safety of our airspace,” Harutyunyan said in the statement.

“Secondly, water resources of Sarsang water reservoir  may be used jointly both by Artsakh and Azerbaijan. In case of consent thousands of hectares of non-irrigated bordering territories of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will be irrigated improving the living conditions of the population of the territories,” the head of the party said.

Harutyunyan also reminded that in time Artsakh authorities made such proposal to Azerbaijan through International Committee of the Red Cross and OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs but Azerbaijan rejected them.

“As a result we have worked out alternative program for usage of Sarsang waters, but we once again express our readiness for mutually beneficial and humanitarian cooperation,” ex-PM of Artsakh stated.