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Panorama.am has talked to Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan about pre-election processes in Artsakh.

- Mister President, what are the three most important points in your electoral program which you will implement first if reelected?

- Certainly, there are many things to do. But the implementation of all our programs and overcoming current challenges is directly linked to the observance of the state-building principles. These principles are the following: free and independent social country, democratic governance, comprehensive security for the country and people. Violation of one of these principles could have unpredictable consequences for the future of the Artsakh Republic. Therefore I think the first and foremost task of our statehood should be to observe these principles.

- Given the fact that Karabakh-Azerbaijan normalization is the number one problem of your republic, what is your vision of the conflict resolution?

- Our vision includes three principles. First, Artsakh stands for peaceful, negotiated settlement of all problems with Azerbaijan. But it doesn’t mean that we are not ready and determined to protect our independence and security if necessary. The NKR Defense Army is able to stop any attempt to endanger our people’s security and our statehood. However, having passed through war, we are confident that war is never the correct way to normalize relations.

The second is the restoration of the full-fledged format of talks. Official Stepanakert has always reiterated that Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict cannot be settled without NKR’s full direct participation in the negotiations. We understand that the restoration of a full format will require some time, especially with Baku’s destructive position which regrettably becomes more extremist. Nevertheless, we along with the Republic of Armenia, will continue working towards restoration of a full format of talks.

Third, it goes without saying that Artsakh’s independence and security cannot be weakened, not even a little bit. For our people, these are exclusive values and they are not subject to bargaining. It is impossible to return to the past both with regard to the status and administrative division. The above mentioned approaches are pragmatic, with our past way full of difficulties, international experience and law as well as the idea of justice in the basis.

- Mister Sahakyan, what is your vision of Artsakh’s economic development, what are the primary sectors and the development model of your country?

- Our republic’s economic development is based on the ideas of market economy and strong social system. It enables us to make our economy more dynamic and flexible, meanwhile protecting the vulnerable strata of the population. Continual expansion of economic ties with Armenia and Diaspora is another important principle of our economic development. It is also one of the cornerstones of our state-building. It is the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity that always helps us overcome all difficulties, even those that seem insurmountable.