Stepanakert: Russian peacekeepers are one of the key guarantors of stability and peace in the region, as well as the security of Artsakh

ArmInfo. The status of Karabakh after the third Karabakh war unleashed by Azerbaijan, Turkey and international terrorists has essentially not changed. Artsakh Foreign Minister David Babayan stated this.

"The aim of the aggression was the complete destruction of the Artsakh Republic, its people and statehood.  But the criminal plans of this alliance did not materialize. Despite heavy human, material and territorial losses, the Artsakh Republic retained its independence and statehood. We are still an established independent state fighting for our international recognition, "he said in an interview with the Arab information and analytical website Almothaqaf.com.

He recalled that after the third Karabakh war, Russian peacekeeping forces were deployed in Artsakh, which are one of the key guarantors of stability and peace in the region, as well as the security of the Artsakh Republic. "We highly appreciate this role, as well as the contribution of the Russian peacekeepers to the process of reconstruction and post-conflict rehabilitation of our country. We have direct, fairly close and fraternal relations with the Russian peacekeepers, "Babayan emphasized. At the same time, the head of the Karabakh foreign policy department drew attention to the fact that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has quite wide ties with many countries. "At the state level, we were recognized by Abkhazia, Transnistria, South Ossetia, and a number of American and Australian states, cities and municipalities of America and Europe. The Armenian Diaspora, which is a kind of bridge connecting our country with different states, also contributes to the strengthening and development of relations with different countries. The Artsakh Republic also has its representations abroad, "the NKR Foreign Minister stressed. To clarify how the prospects for establishing relations with Arab countries are assessed in Stepanakert, given that the relations with Turkey of a number of Arab countries cannot be called good, Babayan said that the Arab world is of particular importance to us. Our relationship with Arabs and Arab civilization goes back centuries.

"I would like to note, for example, that at one time Artsakh played a key role in the history of Islam. In the 9th century, it was Artsakh that neutralized one of the greatest threats ever facing Islam - the Babek revolt (826-837). If successful, this uprising of Islamic civilization might not have happened today. As for modern history, we all remember very well the helping hand extended by the Arab peoples to the Armenians during the monstrous genocide perpetrated by the Turks in 1915-1923. Tens of thousands of Armenians have found their second homeland in such Arab countries as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, etc. These countries made it possible for our compatriots to feel safe and fully realize themselves. We are very grateful to the Arabs for all this. Today, the Armenian communities of the Arab countries are one of the most organized segments of our Diaspora, actively promoting the establishment of friendly and fraternal relations between our peoples and states. There are great opportunities and a wide scope of work here.  As for Turkey, this country is conducting destructive, subversive work in various regions, especially along the perimeter of its borders, and this is a threat not only for Arab countries. By its actions, active support of radical and terrorist groups, Turkey poses a threat to all Islam, undermining this great world religion from the inside. I am sure that the Arab world understands this as well, " Babayan summed up.