NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrossian’s commentary…

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
24 April 07

Question: Mr. Minister, how will you comment the statement of the
CE Committee of Ministers, Foreign Minister of San Marino Fiorenzo
Stolfi concerning the information that the forthcoming elections in
Nagorno Karabakh cannot create favorable conditions for the conflict
settlement since they predetermine the region’s status? Commentary:
The statement of the Chairman of the CE Committee of Ministers denotes
once more that the European officials of even such high level are
poorly aware of the Karabakh conflict’s essence and process.

Representatives of different European structures try to compensate this
gap by using stereotyped answers, as Foreign Minister of San Marino
Fiorenzo Stolfi did. However, similar standard approach to the Karabakh
problem as a whole, and the process of civil society building in the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic in particular, which has recently become
established in the international structures is counterproductive and
dangerous. The indulgence to the caprices of the Azerbaijani side,
which is more often demonstrated by the European officials, can be
perceived as an attempt to bring Nagorno Karabakh back to the past.

In connection with this, I would like to remind Mr. Fiorenzo Stolfi
that any attempts to deprive the people of Nagorno Karabakh of the
right to democratic development and civil society strengthening
are condemned to failure. Under the conditions of democracy the
elections are crucial institute of demonstrating political role
of the people as the source of power. The forthcoming presidential
elections in the NKR are not an exception. They cannot impact the
Karabakh conflict settlement process and cannot predetermine Nagorno
Karabakh’s status, as their main function is to form power through
democratic mechanisms. The NKR’s status was determined by the will
of people of Nagorno Karabakh at December 10, 1991 referendum in
conformity with the norms of the international law and the national
legislation which was in force during that period.

It should be noted that we have repeatedly invited the representatives
of various European structures to visit Nagorno Karabakh and get
acquainted with the situation on-site to overcome the stereotypes
and cliches, which have become established among European officials
regarding Nagorno Karabakh.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress