JUST AND PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT REMAINS A PRIORITY OF ARMENIA’S FOREIGN POLICY

armradio.am
23.06.2008 13:59

Asked by Armenpress agency to comment on the June 18 incidents at the
Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which resulted in the killings of two
residents of Chinari village, RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
said: "I want to first express my most sincere condolences to the
families of the victims.

Attacks against the civilian population, killings of innocent people
and the recent steps of Azerbaijani side, in general, are directed
towards the deterioration of the situation. I believe that all these
attempts, which include the incident in the Martakert region of Nagorno
Karabagh in the first days of March; persistent refusal, since April,
to return four Armenian citizens; killing of an Armenian serviceman
in Tavush region and now the killing of two civilian residents of
Chinari village, must be strongly condemned. Such steps endanger the
peace process. One wonders whether the real goal of the Azerbaijani
side is to create additional obstacles to the continuation of the
peace talks. The demands of a number of Azerbaijani NGOs to stop the
negotiations can only be seen as an evidence of this. It is obvious
from where those NGOs are directed. These steps raise serious concern
and have to be denounced."

There have been statements from the Azerbaijani side about the
alleged change of Armenia’s position with regard the resolution of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Clarifying Armenia’s position on the
resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Minister stated:
"Just and peaceful resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict remains
a priority of Armenia’s foreign policy.

The recognition and exercise of the right of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh for self-determination is in the core of the conflict.

Armenia believes that the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict
should be based on the following principles:

– Nagorno Karabakh cannot be under the authority of Azerbaijan;

– Nagorno Karabakh must have a permanent land link to Armenia, which
should be under the jurisdiction of Armenian side.

– Security of the Nagorno Karabakh population must be guaranteed.

Acceptance of these principles and their assertion in an agreement
will allow to surmount the consequences of the conflict.

The agreement in this regard should, naturally, be approved by the
Karabakh side."

According to Edward Nalbandian, Armenia remains committed to the
resolution of the conflict only through peaceful means and believes
that the creation of a confidence environment is essential for the
continuation of negotiations in a constructive manner. The sides
should refrain from steps, which might generate additional tension
and create obstacles on the way of the peace process.

"The militaristic propaganda and threats of a possible military
solution voiced at the highest level in Azerbaijan contradict the UN
Charter and the OSCE Founding Document, the 1975 Helsinki Final Act,
as well as the main principles of international law.

Any attempt of a military solution can have unpredictable consequences
not only for the parties themselves but for the entire region.

Negotiations on the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict are held
within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group — between the Presidents
and Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia values the
mediation of Minsk Group Co-chairs as an effective framework for the
process of negotiations.

While being engaged in the negotiations process within the OSCE Minsk
Group, Azerbaijan, at the same time, is making attempts to transfer the
resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict to other international fora,
continues to distort the essence of the conflict, and carries on the
anti-Armenian propaganda at various international organizations. This
has seriously impeded the resolution of the conflict and continues
to impede.

Armenia is determined to continue negotiations in the framework of
OSCE Minsk Group in order to achieve a final resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict," Minister Nalbandian stated.