VARDAN OSKANIAN: DE FACTO NKR IS ALREADY INDEPENDENT, IT ONLY REMAINS
TO CONFIRM THIS DE JURE, THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS

YEREVAN, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian Foreign Minister, Vardan
Oskanian, at the June 29 press conference, stated that the official
bellicose statements of Baku are an obstacle in the settlement of the
conflict. He said that with their statements the sides should promote
and not hamper the process of settlement.

In V. Oskanian’s words, the document, which is being discussed during
the negotiations over the Nagorno Karabakh settlement, includes all
principles related to the settlement. In particular, this is the issue
of Nagorno Karabakh’s status, territories, and refugees. The Minister
also mentioned that the document contains points which are unacceptable
for both sides.

In connection with the possibility of reaching a deadlock situation in
the negotiations process, he mentioned that nothing should be excluded.
At the same time, V. Oskanian stated that everything possible should be
done to ensure progress in the issue of the settlement.

As regards the issue of possibly giving independence to Kosovo and the
impact of that decision on Nagorno Karabakh’s fate, the Minister
stated: "If Kosovo is given independence, it is not excluded that the
international community can declare that it will no longer consider
issues connected with nations’ right of self-determination. And, unless
they give independence to Kosovo, this is also dangerous for us. We
should take into consideration the fact that the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic is already independent, it only remains to confirm this de
jure, through negotiations."

V. Oskanian did not agree with the opinion that no progress has been
registered in the negotiations process on Nagorno Karabakh settlement
today, compared with 1997. "Unequivocally, this is not so. Today the
core of the negotiations is the issue of Nagorno Karabakh’s status,
which should be solved through a referendum," the Armenian Foreign
Minister said.