Are the Madrid Principles unacceptable for RA authorities?

9/24/eduard-sharmazanov
08:14 pm | September 24, 2009 | Interview

Serzh Sargsyan and Edward Nalbandyan announce that the main issue in
the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is Karabakh’s status
and that the return of refugees is possible only after the status is
determined. Does this mean that the Armenian government is renouncing
the Madrid Principles? We asked press speaker for the Republican
Party, NA Deputy Edward Sharmazanov.

Edward Sharmazanov: The Madrid Principles are not the final
document. They are simply proposals, principles, but the negotiations
are in progress. Even before and after the Madrid Principles were
revealed, Serzh Sargsyan said that the main issue of concern was the
status of Nagorno-Karabakh and that Karabakh could not be part of
Azerbaijan. In fact, in his latest meetings, the President clearly
stated that there are points in the Madrid Principles that are far
from what we envision.

"A1+": Nevertheless, the issue of the status is secondary in the
document that has apparently been agreed to serve as a basis for
negotiations.

E. Sh.: But unlike the Lisbon Principles, the Madrid Principles accept
Nagorno-Karabakh as a subject and its de facto independence and there
is an opportunity for Karabakh to have a de yure independence through
a referendum. But I must say once again that this is not a document
that has been agreed on. The Armenian side has stated its opinion and
there are points that we agree with and points that we don’t agree
with.

"A1+": Edward Nalbandyan announced at the National Assembly that it is
impossible to change the pre-signed protocols on Turkish-Armenian
relations and it must be finally signed in the form that was agreed
on. Is this possible for the Madrid Principles as well? Will the
Armenian authorities possibly go against the new principles and not
resolve the conflict?

E. Sh.: The Republican Party has released the three points and if
there are principles that don’t correspond to those three points, the
Armenian authorities will obviously disagree. Our objective is to find
a pro-Armenian resolution of the Karabakh conflict and not resolve it
at any price.

"A1+": Don’t you see the possibility of Turkey’s interference in the
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh if the protocols are signed and
ratified?

E. Sh.: There is not one precondition in the protocols.

"A1+": Is there anything between the lines?

E. Sh.: There is no need to read between the lines. We must look at
what is written. Turkey and Armenia must obviously go after their
interests and we must work for our benefit.