ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: ARMENIA MAY RECOGNIZE INDEPENDENCE OF NKR

ArmInfo
2009-08-25 18:14:00

ArmInfo. Armenia does not rule out recognition of the Nagorny
Karbakh Republic, but we proceed from the logic of the negotiation
process in order not to be destructive in this issue like
Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, if Azerbaijan’s stand, which leads that
country to a deadlock, leads the negotiation process to a deadlock
as well, everything is possible, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia
Shavarsh Kocharyan says an interview with Echo of Moscow ("Echo
Moskvi") radio.

"At present the self-determination of Nagorny Karabakh is a fact,
which is recognized by other states or not. If this fact is not
recognized like in the case with Azerbaijan, this means – "give me
the territories at first and then I will settle the problem with
Karabakh, including by force". Such approach does not contribute to
progress of the negotiations process. That is why we should agree on
the basic principles at first and then speak of the implementation
details. The two Armenian countries, Armenia and Nagorny Karabakh
Republic, believe strong security guarantees for the Nagorny Karabakh
people the most important principle," Kocharyan says.

"Our relations with Nagorny Karabakh are built as with a de-facto
full-fledged state. I think that Armenia should have been recognized
the NKR from the very beginning. Armenia did not recognize the NKR
since it proceeded from the fact that as long as there are mediators
and the process, negotiations should be held and it should take a tough
stand. Recognition of the NKR is not a task for Armenia, its task is
to achieve recognition of the NKR by the world community," he says.