YEREVAN, February 24. /ARKA/. Artsakh's (Nagorno-Karabakh) former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan said that he haв no intention to leave Artsakh after being dismissed by Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan on Thursday.

Speaking at the session of Artsakh government Vardanyan said he could not imagine himself outside Artsakh and the foundation he set up there (called We are our mountains) that has already implemented several projects, will continue working.

He said those projects were an example of very important cooperation between the public and private sectors, Armenia, the Diaspora and Armenian and non-Armenian NGOs.

‘I think it is very important because if we are talking about the future, it is very important that this cooperation continues," Vardanyan's office quoted him as saying at the Thursday government meeting.

Vardanyan also expressed confidence that his team did a very important job during a very difficult time, calling it an important experience.

Vardanyan said he intended to continue his efforts so that as many Armenians as possible come to Artsakh, so that not only Artsakh Armenians stop feeling themselves lonely, but also those who left Artsakh at different times, return during this crisis and strengthen the Homeland even more.

Vardanyan said Azerbaijan that hoped to bring the Artsakh people to their knees, to break them, was badly mistaken.

"Azerbaijan saw that we have become more united. It was very inspiring to hear people in different communities saying: we are ready to endure without gas and electricity, but don't betray us and let's continue the fight," he said.

"My biggest difficulty is that I failed to prove and explain two things: that this is not a normal situation, and that the crisis has its own laws. That was probably one of my biggest omissions. The other difficulty was that I could not explain what the struggle means, how we have to strengthen our position, how we can use our limited resources," he said.

The former minister also expressed confidence that the people of Artsakh could overcome the very dangerous "salami" strategy used by Azerbaijan.

"I am sure that the choice should not be made by one person, or by the security council, or by a few hundred people, but the whole people should make the most difficult and responsible decision, which we talked about both before and during the blockade," he stressed.

Stressing that he would work in Artsakh, Vardanyan said that although there are differences in approaches with the president, the common idea is that there are red lines that no one can cross.

"These red lines are very important for our dignity, to keep Artsakh Armenian, independent and dignified. I am confident that together we will succeed on this path," Vardanyan summarized. -0-