MANVEL SARGSYAN: NO LINK BETWEEN RESOLUTION 1643 AND KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
Nvard Davtyan

"Radiolur"
11.02.2009 17:22

Armenia has become a very serious country for Russia, Europe and NATO
after the August events in the South Caucasus, expert of the Armenian
Center for National and International Studies Manvel Sargsyan told a
press conference today. He clarified that Armenia’s importance has
considerably grown since Russia has completely lost its influence
in Georgia, thus the relations with Armenia are very valuable for
maintaining influence in the South Caucasus. Europeans are also
cautious and do not wish to "hand over" Armenia to Russia.

As for the comments on the link between PACE Resolution 1643 and the
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the political scientist
does not share this logic. According to him, Europe understands pretty
well that the Karabakh conflict is a complex issue and a consensus
between all interested parties is needed. With the Maindorf Declaration
Russia entrusted the Karabakh issue to the Minsk Group.

According to Manvel Sargsyan, Armenia can best participate in
Russian-Turkish relations, which have acquired new quality after
the Russian-Georgian war. In his opinion, in this context the talks
about the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border are not vain, these
intentions are on the agenda of the Armenian-Turkish dialogue.

Manvel Sargsyan noted also that some intelle ctuals in Turkey consider
that the relations of their country with Armenia should be separated
from the relations with Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, he considers that
Turkey’s mediation in the Karabakh issue is impermissible.