ISSUE OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT FAIR AND PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IS OF PIVOTAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR ARMENIA’S FOREIGN POLICY, RA FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Ju ne 23, 2008
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The issue of Nagorno Karabakh conflict
fair and peaceful settlement is of pivotal significance for Armenia’s
foreign policy. RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said in response
to the questions of the Armenpress agency. According to the Minister,
the issue of recognition and exercising of Nagorno Karabakh people’s
self-determination right is the basis of the conflict. According to
him, Armenia considers that the Nagorno Karabakh problem settlement
should be based on the following principles: NKR cannot be within
the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan, NKR should have an unimpeded land
communication with Armenia under Armenian side’s competence, NKR
population’s security should be guaranteed. The admission of these
principles and their stipulation by an agreement, according to E.
Nalbandian, will give a possibility to liquidate the consequences of
the conflict.
"Armenia pursues problem settlement only peacefully and attaches
importance to establishment of atmosphere of confidence to continue the
negotiations in a constructive way. The sides should not take steps
that can create additional tension and obstacles on the way of the
peaceful process," the Minister said. According to him, any attempt to
solve the conflict through a war can have unpredictable consequences
not only for the conflict sides, but also for the whole region.
According to E. Nalbandian, Azeri side’s steps aimed at aggravating
the situation are condemnable. They become frequent recently: the
incident of NKR Martakert region in early March, refusing to return
four Armenian citizens from April, murder of Armenian serviceman
in the Tavush region, and murder of two residents of the village
of Chinari on June 18. According to him, these steps pose danger
for the negotiations process. "A question emerges: maybe it is the
goal of the Azeri side, to put new obstacles for continuation of the
negotiations. Its evidence is also the demand voiced by a number of
NGOs of Azerbaijan to stop the negotiations process. We know from
where these organizations’ activity is guided," the Minister said.
E. Nalbandian also said that being involved in the negotiations
process of OSCE Minsk Group, Azerbaijan parallel to it tries to move
the Nagorno Karabakh settlement to other international instances,
continues misrepresenting the essence of the conflict at international
organizations and propaganda against Armenia. This, according to
him, has considerably hindered and continues to hinder the problem
settlement. "Armenia is inflexible in the issue of continuing the
negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group for the
purpose of achieving final settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict,"
the RA Foreign Minister stated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
