Artsakh conflict settlement must be based on package option, not stage-by-stage: Artur Vanetsyan

Ensuring the security of Armenia will be the permanent priority, ex-director of the NSS Artur Vanetsyan stated at the congress of Hayrenik party today.

“The geopolitical situation formed over Armenia and the current realities, the Artsakh conflict and the common international tension the threads of which are passing through our homeland prove what I say,” he stressed, adding that having such sharpening of security issues for states, including for Armenia is not an unsolved burden but a reality in conditions of which those responsible for the state must work every day and night.

Among the core security issues, Vanetsyan stressed the Artsakh issue.

“The right of the self-determination of the Artsakh people is indissoluble and cannot depend on the consent or kind will of any of a third party. It is a right and should be implemented at its full volume. Armenia-Artsakh relations must be based on national vision, mutual trust and cooperation. Armenia must definitely respect the subjectivity of Artsakh. Armenia must contribute its efforts to the international recognition of the independence of Artsakh,” Vanetsyan said, adding that Armenia was and will be the guarantor of Artsakh’s security.

“The only way of solution of Artsakh issue is peaceful negotiation, exclusively in the sidelines of the OSCE Minsk. Neither Artsakh nor Armenia will retreat in front of Azerbaijan’s pressures and this threat will not contribute to the comprehensive and full solution,” Vanetsyan said, stressing that it is impossible to speak with Armenia and Artsakh in the language of threat.

Vanetsyan noted that Artsakh people have implemented their right to self-determination long ago.

“There is no settlement by war. It is impossible to reach peace and regional stability through war. With the efficiency of our army, empowerment of our economy and home solidarity we must make this idea available to the international community and Azerbaijan. The settlement of the Artsakh issue must be based not on the stage by stage but package option,” he said.