Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, now in France on a working visit, gave an interview to France 24 TV and accused Baku of hindering his governmemnt’s efforts to provide favorable living and working conditions for 40,000 Armenians displaced by the 2020 war.

 As evidence, Harutyunyan pointed to daily Azerbaijani ceasefire violations and last week’s closure of the only road linking Artsakh and Armenia.

He also called for international guarantees, above and beyond the Russian peacekeeper contingent, to ensure the safety of Artsakh Armenians.

"Of course, peace today is guaranteed by the statement of November 9, 2020 by the Russian peacekeeping mission located in Artsakh, whose mandate is until 2025, but there is a need to supplement it with international guarantees, bearing in mind that the right to self-determination and independence are the only guarantee of the security of the people of Karabakh Araik Harutyunyan replied.

In response to the France 24 reporter’s comment that French President Emanuel Macron didn’t official receive him, Harutyunyan said he hoped to meet with Macron at a later date.

Harutyunyan thanked the French National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on November 30 supporting Armenia and proposing sanctions against Azerbaijan.

After the war of 2020, the French legislature adopted four resolutions demanding the recognition of the independence of Artsakh.

"Of course, I am sorry that the French executiver, the president did not accept it. That would be a step forward,” Harutyunyan said regarding the recent resolution,

When asked about Artsakh's participation in ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks, Harutyunyan said it is unfortunate that no one is negotiating with his government.   

"Azerbaijan refuses any negotiations with us. We have contacts with Azerbaijani authorities on social and humanitarian issues, but never on the status issue. I am also sorry that there are no international negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding Artsakh."

The journalist then asked Harutyunyan if Artsakh would agree to autonomy within Azerbaijan. Arayik

Harutyunyan responded that the people of Artsakh made their choice, independence, during the collapse of the USSR and that right is enshrined in the Constitution of Artsakh.

"Artsakh has no future as part of Azerbaijan. We are ready for a normal neighborhood, but the status of independence is not subject to negotiation,"    Harutyunyan said.

When asked if Artsakh might not reunify with Armenia, Harutyunyan responded: "Reunification with Armenia is the dream of every Armenian and Artsakh citizen, but it is not possible from the point of view of international law."