SERZH SARGSYAN: KARABAKH SETTLEMENT POSSIBLE IF AZERBAIJAN RECOGNIZES THE RIGHT OF NKR PEOPLE TO SELF-DETERMINATION

armradio.am
27.10.2008 12:14

"The settlement of the Karabakh issue is possible if Azerbaijan
recognizes the right of people of Karabakh to self-determination,
If Nagorno Karabakh is guaranteed a land border with the Republic of
Armenia and if the international organizations and the international
community guarantee the security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh,"
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said in an interview with the
Public TV.

The President noted the negotiations are entering an active
phase. According to him, the known events in the region once again
convinced everyone that there is no military solution to the Karabakh
conflict.

As for public discussions, the President considers those are useful. "I
think public discussions are useful and I’m deeply convinced that we
will still enter a period of more active public debates. Discussions
are always useful, but those should be based exceptionally on one
interest – the benefit of the Armenian nation. We have devoted too
much to the Karabakh conflict resolution and cannot but notice the
facts of provocation. We are solving a sacred issue, an important
historic issue, and it’s immoral when someone tries to find a different
interest during the settlement of the conflict," RA President noted.

Commenting on the recent proposal of the Russian President of a
trilateral meeting and the statement of Turkish President Abdullah Gul
that the Armenian President has asked him to mediate in the Karabakh
settlement, Serzh Sargsyan said the Karabakh conflict settlement
proceeds within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group on the basis
of Madrid Principles.

"I have said many times and I repeat that there are no other mediators:
the only mediators are the Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Armenia has never
applied to any country to carry out a mediating mission. President
Medvedev’s invitation and his activeness on the matter are rather
ordinary for the President of a Minsk Group co-chair country. As for
President Gul’s statement, I’m not used to commenting on statements
of other political figures, especially considering that our press
publishes excerpts out of context. I will repeat that the Minsk
Group Co-chairs are the only mediators, but we do not refuse from
any assistance. Yes, I’m confident that Turkey can contribute to
the Karabakh conflict settlement: President Gul’s visits to Yerevan,
the continuation of Armenian-Turkish negotiations are good examples
of solving hard issues. I’m sure that if Turkey opens the border
and establishes diplomatic relations with Armenia, it will greatly
contribute to the Karabakh conflict resolution," the President of
Armenia declared.