Arayik Harutyunyan, president of the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, over the last few days visited several settlements in the region that have remained under Armenian control after the 44-day Karabakh war last year, including Taghavard, Karmir Shuka markets in the Martuni region and Sarushen, Shosh, Khanapat and Khramort communities in Askeran region.
Both security and socio-economic issues were discussed with the residents. "During my tour, I also followed the construction works of one of the major economic projects of our country, the main junction of the Karkar River, after the completion of which 2000 hectares of land will be irrigated from the beginning of next year," Harutyunyan wrote on his Facebook page. On the issue of the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arayik Harutyunyan said, "We will continue the struggle for independence, we will never accept being part of Azerbaijan, it is excluded." He added, "The agenda of independence will remain, it is a long process and we will achieve it".