Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) gained independence on the basis of the right to self-determination, and no document signed by Armenia can deprive Artsakh Armenians of that right, Karabakh lawmaker Vahram Balayan said Monday, December 11, Pastinfo reports.

Balayan’s remarks came after former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said thata clause on Nagorno-Karabakh has been removed from a draft peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“From a legal point of view, no document signed by the Republic of Armenia can prevent the Artsakh Armenians from exercising their right to self-determination. Of course, if the so-called "peace treaty" is signed without caluse related to Artsakh, then in the future it is possible that it will become an excuse and complicate our path,” Balayan said.

“In other words, as the Russian Federation said that because the Armenian government has recognized Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan, we cannot do anything about it, in the same way they can use that agreement as an excuse if they do not want the Artsakh issue to be resolved, but I repeat, prevent us from continuing the path of self-determination can’t be achieved legally.”

The lawmaker said Artsakh self-determined on its own territory and not on Azerbaijan’s or any other state’. According to him, no "peace agreement" will be signed, because Baku's appetite is quite large. It is not limited to Artsakh, but wants conquer all of Armenia.

“We must pursue the issue of liberating Artsakh and returning there,” he added.

According to a document signed by Yerevan and Baku on December 7, Azerbaijan will release 32 Armenian servicemen, while Armenia will release 2 Azerbaijani soldiers – one of whom was charged with murder after he killed an employee of the Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine

“The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan will continue their discussions regarding the implementation of more confidence building measures, effective in the near future and call on the international community to support their efforts that will contribute to building mutual trust between two countries and will positively impact the entire South Caucasus region,” the statement added.