NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD FOCUS ON NKR-AZERBAIJAN BORDER VS. TERRITORIES
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
13.07.2009 14:20 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Handing over any NKR-controlled territory to
Azerbaijan would first of all imply violation of the country’s
Constitution,which clearly states that those lands belong to Nagorno
Karabakh. Besides, the withdrawal of NKR Defense Army from some
of liberated territories would undermine the country’s military and
commercial security, said NKR ex-Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan, Head
of NKR Public Council on Foreign Policy and Security. The principles
published do not contain a hint on returning Azeri-occupied NKR
lands (over 1000 sq. km.) to Karabakh. "Negotiations should focus
on NKR-Azerbaijan border vs. territories. Only after Azerbaijan’s
recognition of NKR should intergovernmental commission tackle the issue
delimitating and demarcating the interstate border," Mayilyan noted.
The "interim status", according to the expert, is first of all an
attempt to restrict NKR’s sovereignty, questioning its independent
status and depriving the state of its own security system. "NKR’s
recognition would imply recognition of independence which might
create additional guarantees (including political-diplomatic)
for Artsakh to maintain its independence. Land border between NKR
and Armenia was established in May 1992 and broadened during 1993
military operations. It would be naïve to restrict that border to
Armenia-NKR corridor. Very interestingly, the given principle is
proposed to Armenians as concession," he said.
Masis Mayilyan is convinced that NKR’s legal status is determined based
on December 10, 1991 referendum, which has a legally binding effect,
and confirmed by the Constitution dated December 10, 2006. "Besides,
NKR people have 8 times indirectly expressed their will to live
in an independent statehood, by voting for political parties and
separates candidates’ programs which stressed the importance of NKR’s
international recognition. Over the past 18 years, NKR citizens have
10 times voted for their country’s independent status. As regards the
return of refugees, the issue can be discussed by all three parties,
after NKR’s recognition by Azerbaijan. The wording all vs. Azerbaijani
refugees is a positive moment. Although, it’s unclear who and how
should ensure the rights and guarantee the security of hundreds and
thousands of people who may find themselves on the opposite side of
border," NKR ex-Foreign Minister stressed.