ROBERT KOCHARYAN: NKR PEOPLE HAS PROVED ITS RIGHT FOR EXISTENCE
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
RA President Robert Kocharyan delivered a speech at the Bertelsmann –
the greatest and most influential political fund of Germany.
Speaking about the relations with neighboring countries, Robert
Kocharyan said, in particular: "We think that neighbor countries
should build their relations without any preconditions, without
associating these with the demands of a third country. Armenia
attaches great importance to regional cooperation. We think that the
settlement of conflicts itself should be conceived as a precondition
for establishment of cooperation.
Moreover, regional cooperation should be a tool for establishing an
atmosphere of trust targeted at the settlement of existing conflicts.
Tuning to the Karabakh issue, Ra President said in particular, "It is
obvious that the unsettled conflicts prevent the normal development
process of the South Caucasus. That is why we stand for the peaceful
resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are trying to bring our positions
closer. Unfortunately, despite active negotiations, there are no
bases for optimism.
Our position is that the people of Nagorno Karabakh has realized its
right for self-determination. Nagorno Karabakh has never been part of
independent Azerbaijan. Through effective state building the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic has proved its right for existence. It periodically
holds democratic parliamentary and presidential elections. We
observe the development of civil society. The contemporary generation
considers itself the embodiment and defender of this country. There
is no single circle of the nations that will easily drop the 15-year
independence. No one intends to do it in case of Karabakh.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
