IT IS NAGORNY KARABAKH’S TURN TO COMMENT ON DECLARATION SIGNED IN MOSCOW: RUSSIAN EXPERT

ArmInfo
2008-11-13 15:28:00

ArmInfo. ‘Declaration on Karabakh’ that was signed by Armenian and
Azerbaijani presidents in Moscow has become one of the key subjects
of regional political discussions. After Azerbaijan and Armenian
politicians and experts and the ‘interested’ parties in the USA, Russia
and EU, have commended on the issue, Nagorny Karabakh should comment
on the topic, Sergey Markedonov , Ph.D. (Hist.), head, department of
ethnic relationships, Institute of Political and Military Analysis,
told ArmInfo.

‘One can perceive this de-facto formation in the South Caucasus in
different ways. It is the only fully unrecognized republic since
Russia has recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia. One can recognize
its existence as reality like OSCE MG mediators do or US congressmen
who allocate not big funds for implementation of social projects
inside Nagorny Karabakh Republic. One can deny NKR people’s right to
existence like Azerbaijan and Turkey (less willingly) do considering it
just occupation of ‘Azerbaijani original lands’ by Armenia’, he said.

However, he said, in case of any other approach to the phenomenon of
Nagorny Karabakh, it is evident that the settlement of the protracted
confrontation is impossible without the stance of Stepanakert, this
‘shady’ participant in the conflict and the peace process.

‘By the way, a number of experts in Azerbaijan come out for a dialogue
of Baku and their citizens, Armenians by origin, since in compliance
with Azerbaijani legislation, Nagorny Karabakh is party of Azerbaijan
and the people residing there must be theoretically considered as
part of the state’, Markedonov said.