STATEMENT

Distinguished partners and representatives of the international academic community,

On September 27, 2020 Azerbaijan, together with Turkey and with the active involvement of international mercenary terrorists, violating the norms of humanitarian law and the right of a people to self-determination, ignoring the UN Secretary General's call for a general ceasefire during the pandemic, from belligerent rhetoric went on to a large-scale attack along the borders of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Republic.

Azerbaijani aggressors, using weapons prohibited by international humanitarian law, opened fire not only along the borders of the Republic of Artsakh, but also along the border of the Republic of Armenia, targeting peaceful settlements and civilian infrastructure, including educational, cultural and health institutions, destroying them and causing civilian casualties, as well as violating the people’s right to education.

To achieve its aggressive goals, Turkey, using the endeavors of Azerbaijan's territorial ambitions, is making active efforts to provoke a war by involving mercenary terrorists.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan not only does everything possible for the complete implementation of the half-finished plan of his ancestors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, but gradually implements the idea of Pan-Turkism. Greece, Cyprus, Syria, Libya, Iraq have already suffered as a result of Erdogan’s policy to conceal his own interests through falsification and slander, and this "double-faced" aggressive policy allows the leading analysts and experts to accurately point out the danger of this strategy and to predict catastrophic consequences under current geopolitical developments. 

Alas, history shows that every non-prevented  war and manifestation of aggression leads to catastrophic consequences.

The Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, the genocides in Cambodia and Rwanda prove that every aggression, which is not prevented, breeds an even greater tragedy, demonstrating that catastrophic logics.

The Armenians of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), who have been the overwhelming majority of that region for centuries, being under persistent threats of extermination and under an existential threat of annihilation since September 27, have the right to self-determination in the form of establishing their own sovereignty.

The international recognition of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic's), recognition of its independence is the formula that could resist and stop current large-scale aggression of the Turkish-Azerbaijani-terrorist coalition, prevent ethnic cleansing, and ensure lasting peace.

Taking into account the above-mentioned, as well as recognizing the threats of arising international terrorism within this situation, we, the University community of the Republic of Armenia, strongly condemn the anti-Armenian hostilities of Turkey and Azerbaijan, and call for the united front, making not just a declarative, but a real and active demand for peace.

We call for active steps to recognize the independence of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic), which will allow to enact the international law norms and to establish the peace. We look forward for the active involvement and participation in the process of Artsakh independence recognition of the international academic community which is a driving force in the peaceful development of humanity.

Тhank you in advance,

Council of Rectors of State Higher Education Institutions