GEORGY PETROSYAN: OUR INDEPENDENCE CANNOT BE A SUBJECT OF BARGAINING

armradio.am
16.06.2008 17:05

"I am not aware of any changes in Armenia’s stance on
Azerbaijani-Karabahki conflict. As my Armenian counterpart already
stated Armenia’s stance on Nagorno Karabakh has not changed," NKR
Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan said, commenting on the Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister’s statement on "some nuances" in Armenia’s new
leadership’s stance.

"NKR’s stance on the possible agreement has not changed either. Without
NKR people’s agreement no document on conflict settlement with
Azerbaijan can be signed and all the more realized," the Foreign
Minister said.

Commenting on Mmmadyarov’s statement that the conflict’s peaceful
settlement is already a compromise by Azerbaijan, Georgy Petrosyan
said: "Azerbaijani side’s position that peaceful settlement of the
conflict is a compromise from their side is a badly-hidden political
and diplomatic blackmail directed to the mediators and Armenia. The
official Baku has initially counted on the Azerbaijani-Karabakhi
conflict settlement by means of force, threats and blackmail. Such
a policy by Azerbaijan which aims at imposing their own scenario of
conflict settlement not only threatens the negotiation process but
also undermines the regional security and stability.

According to the Foreign Minister, speaking about Tatarstan’s model
as a possible model of autonomy for Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan’s
representatives do not take into consideration the fact that Tatarstan
is a subject of a federative state. "If Azerbaijan intends to become a
federative state and grant the national minorities – Lezghins, Talyshs,
Awarians, Udins, etc. – the status of federation subject it is the
right of people of the Azerbaijani Republic. The given initiative can
only be welcomed; however, we do not see us in this formation. We have
made our choice. Our independence cannot be a subject of bargaining,"
Georgy Petrosyan noted.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress