Pashinyan urges Araik to integrate with Azerbaijan - media

Baku/11.03.23/Turan: The Armenian newspaper "Hraparak" reported that Nikol Pashinyan and Karabakh separatist leader Araik Harutyunyan met on March 10.

Returning the same day, Araik Harutyunyan told his entourage that "the meeting with Pashinyan was difficult".

"Pashinyan repeated Baku's view that Karabakh must integrate into Azerbaijan and Karabakh people must find a common language with Azerbaijanis, because there is no other alternative, or it is in the form of war and annihilation of 120.000 Karabakh people.  Pashinyan reassured that the international community has promised a certain status within Azerbaijan, ensuring independence. Araik Harutyunyan returned to Artsakh with a heavy mood and impressions and said in a close circle that he no longer wants to remain in office," "Hraparak" writes.

The newspaper also recalls that Haroutiunian had earlier initiated an amendment to the "Karabakh legislation", allowing him to pass the power to another person before the end of the "presidential term".

From this report it remains unclear how Harutyunyan left Karabakh and returned. Apparently in a Red Cross vehicle or in the back of a peacekeeping truck. -02B-