The statement following the trilateral meeting hosted by European Council President Charles Michel with the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Brussels on Sunday “totally ignores” the right of Artsakh’s (Nagorno-Karabakh) indigenous Armenian population to self-determination, former Armenian Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan claims.

"The May 23 statement completely ignores the inherent right of Artsakh’s indigenous people to self-determination and Azerbaijan's genocidal policy against Artsakh,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Armenia's security is evidently being undermined and there are no guarantees. But what is happening is also the consequence of the Armenian authorities’ consistent efforts to dismiss our fundamental historical theses, starting with the fact that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan has nothing to do with Artsakh,” Tatoyan said.

The accused the incumbent authorities of legitimizing the unlawful deployment of the Azerbaijani military in Gegharkunik and Syunik Provinces and conceding Armenia’s territorial jurisdiction to Azerbaijan.

“Azerbaijan’s crimes have been and remain hidden from the outside world, the domestic public and the Diaspora,” the ex-ombudsman said.

“In order to hide their own mistakes, not to cause discontent and stay in office, the current leaders put pressure on all those who speak about them.

“They have tied Armenia's hands in the use of international mechanisms, making the country a victim of geopolitical interests. All this has further untied Azerbaijan's hands to spread fake news. They have blunted and continue to blunt people's vigilance,” he stated.