Apply to the Board of Peace or not? Hakobyan on Artsakh parliament factions’ position

Artsakh public figure Tigran Petrosyan wrote that factions of the Artsakh National Assembly had been offered to send a letter to the Peace Board, but three of the five factions opposed the idea, calling the body “frivolous.”

“That is, the ‘Democratic Party of Artsakh,’ ‘Dashnaktsutyun,’ and ‘Justice’ factions are so serious that the Peace Board is frivolous…,” Petrosyan wrote.

Metakse Hakobyan, an MP from the Justice faction of the Artsakh National Assembly, told Aysor.am she was hearing about such a proposal for the first time and had not taken part in any discussion of that kind.

“I don’t know who was supposed to apply, whether anyone applied at all, or what discussion is being referred to. I personally do not know the person in question and have never had any discussions with him. How could his proposal have reached us if I don’t know him?” Hakobyan said, suggesting that Petrosyan himself may have advanced the initiative.

Hakobyan said the Artsakh National Assembly conducts its work on the basis of faction proposals, internal discussions and an adopted strategy signed by the president.

“We have a clear political course, and within that framework we send numerous letters to specific international actors and institutions. These letters concern the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh, the release of our military-political and other compatriots held in Baku, and various other issues. We are convinced we must continue along this path and are not considering a different direction,” she said.

She added that public figures who may not be aware of ongoing efforts can be assured that active work is underway.

“Before the visit of U.S. Vice President Vance, we met with members of the upper house of Switzerland, the head of an international Christian organization and other delegates, and delivered letters that reached their addressees. We are trying to find all possible channels and use every opportunity. Our work is coordinated and proceeds within the adopted strategy, with the participation of all factions,” Hakobyan said.

Hakobyan recalled that in 2023 a committee for the protection of the fundamental rights of the people of Artsakh was established under the Artsakh National Assembly, chaired by Vartan Oskanian.

“He periodically presents his work through open sources, and many issues are also raised through the committee and conveyed to relevant addressees. The committee includes members of Armenian Cause structures, and overall our work and that of the committee are unrelated to the geopolitical directions chosen by Armenia’s authorities. If there is one direction, it does not mean we must move only in that direction,” she said.

Hakobyan advised Petrosyan to pursue his initiative independently with the Board of Peace.

“Even if there had been a refusal – and I did not participate in such a discussion – he can continue his initiative on his own public platform. If any public figure believes there is another direction, their opportunities in that direction are unlimited. No one is setting boundaries; these steps do not contradict each other,” she said.