All five Artsakh parliamentary factions issued a joint statement today calling for national unity and a public discussion of all issues facing the country following last year’s war.

The statement follows recent demonstrations in Stepanakert, the country’s capital, demanding the resignation of Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan.

“For us, the priority is the homeland, the preservation of the homeland, the recapture of what was lost, the restoration of the Artsakh people's right to live, develop and prosper in their homeland,” the statement reads.

The five factions (Free Homeland-UCA, United Homeland, Justice, ARF, Artsakh Democratic Party) day that certain forces are attempting to “undermine the moral and state foundations that unite the nation, to incite hatred and enmity in the society, as a result of which artificial, tense situations arise.”

They warn that incendiary statements made by some can “drive a wedge between the citizens of Armenia and Artsakh.

“We call on everyone to be balanced, tolerant and respectful in expressing their opinions and approaches to each other,” the joint statement reads.

The factions say that the country’s parliament, a publicly elected body, is the best platform for dialog.