Artsakh Issue Unresolved Without Dignified Return: Shahramanyan

27 SEP 2025 06:50

On September 27, the fifth anniversary of the start of the large-scale Azerbaijani aggression, a tribute was paid at the Yerablur military pantheon to the memory of the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the homeland. The commemoration event was attended by high-ranking spiritual and political figures, including the Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, former President of Artsakh Samvel Shahramanyan, Acting Speaker of the National Assembly of Artsakh Ashot Danielyan, State Minister Njdeh Iskandaryan, as well as members of the parliaments of Armenia and Artsakh and numerous citizens.

In a conversation with journalists, former President of Artsakh Samvel Shahramanyan addressed the significance of the day, recalling the tragedy that took place.

"Five years ago on this day, the Republic of Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Artsakh, pursuing one clear goal: to take possession of Artsakh," he noted, emphasizing the pre-planned nature of the aggression.

At the same time, Shahramanyan highlighted the importance of efforts aimed at peace, stating that the Artsakh side welcomes any initiative aimed at establishing stability in the region.

"We welcome any initiative aimed at peace, be it with Azerbaijan or other neighbors," he said. At the same time, the former president stressed that stable peace cannot be established by bypassing the fundamental rights of the Artsakh Armenians. "We constantly note that the issue of the Artsakh people must receive a proper solution," he added.

Shahramanyan noted that the solution to the issue cannot be limited to only humanitarian or social programs. The essence of the problem is the loss of the homeland, and as long as the people of Artsakh are deprived of the opportunity to live on their historic land, the conflict cannot be considered resolved.

"This issue cannot be considered resolved if the people of Artsakh are deprived of their homeland, their graves, their sanctuaries. I have repeatedly mentioned this," he emphasized.

Shahramanyan also warned that ignoring the rights of the people of Artsakh poses serious long-term threats to both Armenia and Azerbaijan. "Closing our eyes to this issue today, I would say, creates a big problem for the future," he noted. According to him, the only acceptable and lasting solution is the realization of the right of the Artsakh Armenians to a dignified and safe return to their homeland. This is the cornerstone on which future peaceful coexistence in the region must be built.

He does not take the discourse "You should have stayed, fought, not come, not given" seriously. "People who make such statements cannot consider themselves serious individuals," Samvel Shahramanyan said at Yerablur.