The authorities of both Armenia and Karabakh have held the people of Karabakh hostage for unclear purposes, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated speaking to journalists.

“I appeal to everyone: let us move beyond the logic of refugees and migrants. We have reached our home – the Republic of Armenia is our home. We must defend our home, rather than constantly treating Armenia as a temporary shelter while thinking of returning to other parts of the world,” Pashinyan said.

When asked whether Azerbaijan had carried out ethnic cleansing in Artsakh, he replied:

“I consider this narrative harmful. We can say ethnic cleansing, we can mirror the talk of ethnic cleansing, and then genocide – that only leads down the path of conflict. That is not my concern, my concern is what to do so that our people displaced from Karabakh can find peace, have a home, work, security, and freedom.” 

Pashinyan emphasized that, as Prime Minister, he rejects the agenda of restoring historical justice:

“I generally refuse the so-called agenda of restoring historical justice. I believe we should focus on creating a just reality, rather than attempting to restore historical justice.”