7 20.09.17 - Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan partook in the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in United Nations headquarters in New York Azerbaijan pursues goal of destroying Artsakh people: Armenia September 20, 2017 - 10:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Nagorno Karabakh conflict is a human rights issue and can only be solved through the people's free self-determination, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan told the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, September 19. "The new state of Artsakh's self-determiniation started some 30 years ago. In response to the peaceful calls for the realization of the indivisible right of Armenians to self-determination, Azerbaijan turned to the use of force," Sargsyan said. "The culmination of Azerbaijan's policies were the massacres of the Armenian population and the mass deportations, leaving the people of Artsakh no other choice than to defend themselves." "Last year's Four-Day War proved that Azerbaijan still pursues its goal of destroying the Artsakh people," Sargsyan said, adding that Azerbaijan is a symbol of medieval backwardness for a developing democracy in Artsakh. Azerbaijan on April 2, 2016 launched a large-scale military offensive against Nagorno Karabakh, which left hundreds dead on both sides. Top Armenian and Azerbaijani defense officials reached an agreement on the cessation of hostilities on April 5 in Moscow. "We are confident there is no alternative to the peaceful settlement of the conflict, and from this high podium I reaffirm our commitment in this regard. " Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party. Russia confirms start of withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh The Kremlin has confirmed reports about the start of the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces in Karabakh. France recalls its ambassador to Azerbaijan France on April 16 said it had recalled for consultations the French ambassador to Azerbaijan. Protesters rally as Georgia debates 'foreign agent' bill Georgian critics label the bill "the Russian law", comparing it to legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent. |