Artsakh Foreign Minister Masis Mailyan responded to the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today, saying, “We share the Secretary of State’s hope that Armenians will be able to defend themselves from the Azerbaijanis.”

“I am glad that Secretary Pompeo reaffirmed our common vision that the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Artsakh conflict is possible only through peaceful negotiations. It is necessary to make Turkey stop inciting Azerbaijan and international terrorists to commit inhuman aggression against our people. At the same time, we expect the international community to play an active constructive role in stopping the joint crimes and genocidal threats against Turkey, Azerbaijan and international terrorists.

“Recognition of the independence of the Artsakh Republic is necessary for regional peace,” Masis Mailyan said.