Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan says that Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh must remain indefinitely and that their numbers should be increased.

Harutyunyan, during a meeting yesterday in Stepanakert with regional and local government leaders, said it’s the Russian peacekeeping mission that maintains the fragile peace in the conflict zone.

Harutyunyan reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the struggle for Artsakh’s independence based on the right of peoples to self-determination.

He also referred to energy and food security issues, noting that work is underway to develop solar energy, and the rational use of small hydropower plants and other natural resources.