FOREIGN MINISTER’S COMMENT

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
23 May 05

Several days ago the secretary general of the Council of Europe Terry
Davis stated that Nagorno Karabakh is an indivisible part of
Azerbaijan. The foreign minister of Armenia Arman Melikian commented
on his statement. `I must mention that Mr. Davis is mistaken and
confuses the international community. Therefore, it would be useful
to remind that Nagorno Karabakh has never been part of independent
Azerbaijan and, consequently, the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh cannot
be its indivisible part. Once Nagorno Karabakh used to be part of the
Soviet Union; in the period of dissolution of the USSR it declared its
independence in conformity with the international law. As to the
recognition of the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, I
believe it is a matter of time.’

AA.
23-05-2005