Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Jan 28 2005

Council of Europe cannot recognize independence of Upper Garabagh’

The principle of self-determination of nations is not applicable to
Upper Garabagh, the PACE rapporteur on the Garabagh conflict David
Atkinson said in an interview with BBC. He said that upon
Azerbaijan’s admission to the CE the latter recognized the country’s
territorial integrity. If Azerbaijan agrees to meet the demand of
Armenians in Garabagh by granting independence to the region, the
Council of Europe may approve this step. However, it is clear that
Azerbaijan will never accept Upper Garabagh’s independence.
`Just like other international organizations, the CE cannot recognize
the independence of Upper Garabagh’, Atkinson added.*