NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT CAN BE CONSIDERED SETTLED: HRANT KHACHATRYAN

YEREVAN, JULY 21. ARMINFO. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be
considered settled, as Nagorny Karabakh is free and independent,
Chairman of the opposition party “Constitutional Right Union” (CRU)
Hrant Khachatryan told a press conference at the National Press Club.

According to him, as far back as 1989 the Supreme Soviet of the
Armenian SSR adopted a resolution that Nagorny Karabakh was an
integral part of Armenia. Thereafter, the entire world recognized
Armenia’s independence, and, according to the 1989 resolution, Nagorny
Karabakh was part of it, Khachatryan said. On the other hand, he
stressed that Nagorny Karabakh is not a geographically clear-cut
territory, and its borders were determined during the liberation war
in 1988-1994, when the Armenian side succeeded in liberating a number
of regions neighboring on Nagorny Karabakh. Khachatryan also expressed
the opinion that the international community will not during next 2-3
years pressure the conflicting parties into settling the conflict as
soon as possible. According to the CRU leader, the superpowers are not
concerned with whether Nagorny Karabakh will be part of Azerbaijan or
of Armenia. The most important for them is that the conflict be
settled, as the international community views Nagorny Karabakh as a
hotbed of instability. Khachatryan also stressed that the Armenian
people will not retreat in the issue of Nagorny Karabakh, irrespective
of what position the country’s authorities assume.