PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenia’s recognition of Karabakh shouldn’t be a `single shot’
05.04.2008 14:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `However, such a move on behalf of
the Republic of Armenia, to put it figuratively,
should not be a single shot. It must be followed by
similar statements by other countries. If no
preparations have been made, it is necessary to get to
work as new international relations are being
established,’ Masis Mayilyan said.

`Theoretically, it would be desirable if Azerbaijan
were among countries which will recognize NKR first.
In that case the conflict would be settled, and
opportunities for effective regional cooperation,
beneficial for all the nations of the South Caucasus,
would appear. However, since our neighbors are not
ready for such actions, NKR and Armenia must pursue a
policy on the Karabakh issue in two parallel
directions. On the one hand, it is necessary to resume
the talks in the full three-party format under the
aegis of the OSCE Minsk Group, on the other hand, it
is necessary to work with separate countries and
international organizations for the de jure
recognition of NKR. Such an approach is positive in
every sense since the least success on the second
track will help the Minsk process move forward,’ he
said.

A `solo’ recognition of NKR by Armenia would be of
vital necessity in case of armed aggression against
NKR on behalf of Azerbaijan, according to him.

`Meanwhile, in this phase it would be expedient to
establish a legal basis for the military cooperation
of the two states. It will help to solve a number of
issues, including that of the military service of
volunteers from Armenia in the NKR Army of Defense. It
is evident that the NKR Army of Defense defends not
only the border of NKR but also the eastern border of
the Republic of Armenia, from the ridge of Mrav to the
Armenian and Iranian border in the south. It is also
necessary to set down in an agreement the status of
the Republic of Armenia as a guarantor of the security
of NKR and its people,’ he said.

As to Azerbaijan’s attempt to replace the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs, Mr Mayilyan said, `The recent actions
of the Azerbaijani side were like blackmail rather
than real steps toward changing the composition of the
co-chairs or to thwart the Minsk process. The point is
that besides Azerbaijan there are other sides of the
conflict, and the choice of mediators is not made by
one of them. All the three sides should agree. To some
extent, this blackmail was successful. I was a bit
surprised at the excusing tone of the interview of one
of the co-chairs,’ Karabakh-Open.com reports.