If Azerbaijan refuses to engage in peaceful settlement, I will ask Armenia to recognize the Artsakh independence - President

"If Azerbaijan does not embark on a path of finding solutions through peaceful means in the coming days, I will ask the Republic of Armenia and other countries to recognize the independence of Artsakh," Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan told a press conference on Sunday.

 

Harutyunyan noted that they will address the countries where

human rights and international laws are respected.

 

"The people of Artsakh want peace more than anyone else in the world. However, we cannot accept conditions imposed on us by a country, that aims to annihilate the history of Artsakh and its people," the President said, adding: "I will declare a patriotic war and I will call on all Armenians to participate financially, and, if they wish, physically. We will not refuse a long-term war if that's what they want."

 

The President once again stated that Azerbaijan carries out a genocide against Artsakh population. "Under the veil of destroying infrastructure and military objects, Azerbaijan uses Smerch, Polonez multiple launch rocket systems, UAVs against the peaceful population of Artsakh."

 

In his words, there is no area in capital Stepanakert that has not been shelled. "What regards to the shelling of Shushi cathedral it is beyond any morality since there are no military object or infrastructure in the vicinity," added Harutyunyan.