News - I took on that duty when practically everyone had given up on Artsakh, Karabakh president says

In September 2023, we found ourselves in a very dire and difficult situation. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) President Samvel Shahramanyan stated this in an interview with reporters at Yerablur Military Pantheon of Yerevan Friday. "I have stated several times that I assumed this duty and responsibility [as Artsakh president] at a time when practically everyone had given up on Artsakh. We have made decisions based on the created situation," said Shahramanyan. And referring to the reports that in 2021 and after that, the then president of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan wanted to resign, but they did not let him, and it was at that time that Shahramanyan’s candidacy was discussed as a candidate for the president of Artsakh, Shahramanyan said: "My candidacy was discussed in the last days, during the days of Arayik Harutyunyan's submitting his resignation. I took on that responsibility, understanding the complexity of the situation and not avoiding that responsibility. I was very aware of what it means to take on that position."