KARABAKH’S RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION PRIORITY, ARMENIAN MINISTER

Arminfo
31 May 07

Yerevan, 31 May: "The priority for us during the negotiations is the
right of the Nagornyy Karabakh [NKR] people to self-determination,"
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan told journalists today. He
was answering a question about the latest rumours about the possibility
of Armenian troops withdrawing from the security zone around the NKR.

"The emphasis is placed exactly on this. The remaining issues can
be considered only after a full settlement of this issue," Oskanyan
stressed and added that Armenia cannot consider other issues without
settling the issue of the right to self-determination.

Commenting on the statement of Council of Europe Secretary-General
Terry Davis that it is preferable to achieve a settlement before the
[2008] presidential elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan, Oskanyan said
"it is preferable, but it is difficult to make any forecasts".