Armenians displaced from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) should receive Armenian citizenship and permanently settle in Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Wednesday, warning against raising unrealistic expectations about a possible return.

Addressing the European Parliament, Pashinyan said the government’s strategy regarding the Artsakh people was “very clear”.

“Our brothers and sisters from Karabakh must receive the citizenship of the Republic of Armenia and settle permanently in Armenia,” he said.

Pashinyan also urged that the emotions of displaced people not be exploited through false hopes.

He said the Armenian government was implementing a housing assistance program for displaced families. According to Pashinyan, 4,886 families have so far become beneficiaries of the program.

“We need as much support as possible from our international partners to solve this problem in a way that contributes to strengthening peace,” he added.