'The Artsakh page is not closed,' acting president says

Artsakh’s acting president and parliament speaker Ashot Danielyan declared that “the page of Artsakh is not closed” in an address at the Diaspora Mobilization Conference in Paris on Saturday, urging unity among Armenians worldwide to confront existential threats to national identity and heritage.

Danielyan emphasized that the fall of Artsakh marked the beginning of a new crisis for the Armenian people, but insisted that the struggle continues. He called for a renewed triad of solidarity – Artsakh, Armenia, and the Diaspora – as the foundation of national policy and daily work. “This is not just rhetoric; it is an irreversible obligation,” he said.

The acting president criticized current policies in Yerevan, arguing they undermine national values and weaken unity, which in turn emboldens hostile forces. He warned that indifference toward cultural and religious heritage sites such as Amaras, Gandzasar, Shushi, and Dadivank risks reducing them to mere memories. “This is not only a political issue; it is a matter of survival,” Danielyan stated.

Highlighting the plight of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, he urged that their release remain a top priority on the international agenda. He called for intensified diplomatic and legal efforts to secure their freedom, framing the issue as both a political demand and a moral duty.

Danielyan underscored the strategic role of the Diaspora, noting its advocacy in Geneva, the European Parliament and the U.S. Congress. He urged greater coordination of these efforts into a unified strategy to keep Artsakh on the global agenda, support its institutions and defend Armenian rights.

“This conference must not end with words alone,” he said. “It must become the beginning of joint pan-Armenian programs for the return of prisoners, the preservation of cultural heritage and the restoration of rights. We have no path other than struggle. Our duty is the national liberation fight for the future of our children.”

Danielyan concluded by honoring those who died for Armenian freedom and reaffirming commitment to their chosen path.