SAMVEL FARMANYAN: "IT HAS BEEN STATED MANY TIMES THAT THE CORE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS IS THE ISSUE ON THE STATUS OF NAGORNO KARABAKH. THE REST OF THE ISSUES ARE SECONDARY"

ARMENPRESS
NOVEMBER 23, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS: Spokesman for the Armenian President
Samvel Farmanyan with the request of Armenpress news agency commented
on the statements of the Azerbaijani president and on certain
publications of the Azerbaijani press.

– A day before the Munich meeting the president of Azerbaijan made a
regular military statement, threatening with war. What will Armenia
do if the tension connected with the Nagorno Karabakh conflict really
increases?

– We have already had an occasion to note that no matter how much
such statements are being voiced for the inner audience, at the same
time they hardly create favorable atmosphere for the negotiation
process. The statements of the Azerbaijani president once again
witness about the unconstructive position of Azerbaijan.

The increase of tension over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict of course is
the most undesirable result. It will be the most undesirable reality
for Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia and the whole region. But the Republic
of Armenia cannot be indifferent toward the fate of Nagorno Karabakh
people and that is why the President of Armenia and other officials
have many times stated that we are responsible for the security of
the people of Nagorno Karabakh. There are adopted ways in the world:
in case of such developments, for instance, the Republic of Armenia may
recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh with all the stemming
consequences. Secondly, the Republic of Armenia may sign a contract
of mutual assistance with the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.

There are ways, and I am sure that the Republic of Armenia will make
use of these few variants separately or simultaneously. And I must
note that the Republic of Armenia has not by now recognized the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic for only one reason – not to impede the
negotiations over the peaceful regulation of the conflict. And if
the peaceful negotiations are interrupted and military actions launch
nothing will hinder Armenia to recognize the independence of Nagorno
Karabakh. But today the reality is that the negotiations continue.

Armenia has always stated that it does not see alternative to
the peaceful regulation of the issue. Armenia thinks that through
negotiations it is possible to reach peaceful and comprehensive
settlement of the issue.

– After the Munich meeting certain Azerbaijani mass media spread
information as if during the negotiations it was spoken that by
the end of the year Armenians might liberate Kelbajar region which
will give Turkey an opportunity to ratify Armenian-Turkish protocols
and Azerbaijan to smooth its position in the pre-context of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement. How much does it correspond to reality?

– In Armenia it became usual for us that after each meeting of the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents the "strictly aware" sources report
about the not existing discussions and arrangements. It is a clear
disinformation and has no relation with reality. Such issue is not
being discussed, consequently there cannot be such arrangement. It
has been stated many times that the core of the negotiations and
discussions is the issue on the status of Nagorno Karabakh. The rest
of the issues are secondary.