SERZH SARGSYAN: WE CANNOT RECOGNIZE KOSOVO, SOUTH OSSETIA AND ABKHAZIA BEFORE WE RECOGNIZE KARABAKH
armradio.am
23.09.2008 14:19
RA President Serzh Sargsyan has declared that "the right of Nagorno
Karabakh for self-determination should be recognized." President
Sargsyan said during his recent meeting with foreign media
that it may seem strange that having always backed the right for
self-determination, Armenia has not recognized Kosovo, South Ossetia
and Abkhazia.
"Our approach is simple. We have a similar problem – the Nagorno
Karabakh issue. We cannot recognize Kosovo, Abkhazia and South Ossetia
until we recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh."
"One of the reasons is that today our country is negotiating with
Azerbaijan, and Armenia wishes to reach the solution of the issue
through peace talks," the President noted. Serzh Sargsyan reminded
that in case of Kosovo and others, recognition was believed to be
the last means. "If no other means remains, Armenia will recognize
the independence of Nagorno Karabakh," he added.
Asked what the limit of concessions is, the red line which Armenia will
never cross, President Sargsyan responded that Armenia declared about
that red line 14 years ago when it was signing a truce and several
times after it. "The line is that the right of Nagorno Karabakh for
self-determination should be respected," Serzh Sargsyan said.