KARABAKH DID ITS CHOICE
Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on June 17, 2008
Armenia
Independence Cannot Be A Matter Of Bargaining
Interview with NKR Foreign Affairs Minister Georgy Petrosyan.
"How would you comment on the announcement made by Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister regarding "certain nuances" of the stance of Armenia’s
new government?"
"There is no change in Armenia’s attitude. As my Armenian colleagues
have already announced Armenia’s stance has not changed in the issue
regarding Nagorno Karabakh.
The attitude of NKR regarding possible agreements has also not been
changed.
No document can be signed or implemented with Azerbaijan without the
agreement of the people of Nagorno Karabakh."
"Mamediarov says the peaceful settlement of the conflict is already
a mutual concession from the side of Azerbaijan. What is your
commentary?"
"Similar announcements are direct political-diplomatic blackmails
addressed to the mediators and Armenia. From the beginning official
Baku accounts on solving the issue by means of pressure, intimidations
and blackmail. By imposing its own scenario of the settlement of
Karabakh conflict not only does Azerbaijan jeopardize negotiation
process, but also puts at risk the stability and security of the
region."
"Azerbaijan has over again raised the issue of the final status of
Nagorno Karabakh, bringing the example of Tataristan as a model. What
is your standpoint regarding this issue?"
"Speaking about Tataristan’s model as a possible model of sovereignty
for Nagorno Karabakh Azerbaijani representatives don’t take into
account the fact that Tataristan is the subject of a federal state. If
Azerbaijan intends to be a federal state and to grant the status of a
federal subject to the national minorities, such as lezgies, tallish,
avaries, udies and others, we will only welcome this initiative;
but we don’t see us in that formation. Our independence can’t turn
into a matter of bargaining."