Expert: Armenian authorities 'washed their hands' of Artsakh

Constitutional law expert Vardan Poghosyan accused the Armenian leaders of “ignoring” Artsakh’s right to self-determination supported by the Armenian Constitution.

“By lowering the bar [on Artsakh’s status] and assuming that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan also entails its sovereignty over Artsakh, the incumbent authorities ignore the Constitution of Armenia, the Declaration of Independence," he told a discussion on Wednesday.

He stated the Constitution commits the Armenian authorities to refraining from negotiations and possible peace agreements that would jeopardize Artsakh's right to self-determination.

“Unfortunately, the ongoing negotiation process is on a different track, and the Armenian authorities do not hide the fact that they have washed their hands of the Artsakh people’s right to self-determination and are unwilling to address this issue, essentially leaving it up to Azerbaijan. Thus, the authorities act against the Constitution and the Declaration," Poghosyan underscored.