POSITIVE CHANGES FELT IN NEGOTIATIONS: ARKADY GHUKASYAN
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 15 2005
STEPANAKERT, July 15. /ARKA/. Positive change can be felt in the
negotiating process, and the most important thing is that a softer tone
is used in Azerbaijan when the negotiations and the two conflicting
parties are mentioned, President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(NKR) Arkady Ghukasyan told a press conference. According to him,
aggressive attitude reigned in Azerbaijan a few years ago, whereas
attempts are being made to assume a more constructive position. “It
is a good thing that Azerbaijan is trying to alienate itself from
this aggressive position and talks of a peace process, that is a
political settlement, can be heard there,” Ghukasyan said.
According to him, this all is evidence of positive changes and of the
fact that the international community has exerted serious influence
on the Azerbaijani authorities’ position.
As regards specific discussions, Ghukasyan said that positive changes
are obvious. The main change is that the sides do not avoid discussing
issues raised by the opposite side. “The priority task for us is the
NKR’s status, and Azerbaijan’s authorities are discussing this problem
with the mediators and with Armenia’s authorities. As regards the
position of Nagorny Karabakh, we have never avoided any discussions and
are always open for considering any issues,” Ghykasyan said. P.T. -0–