SOLUTION OF KARABAKH PROBLEM THROUGH PEACE NEGOTIATIONS IS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE VERSION, OSCE CHAIRMAN-IN-OFFICE SAYS
NOYAN TAPAN
FEBRUARY 17, 2010
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Vice Speaker of the RA National
Assembly Arevik Petrosian and representatives of the parliamentary
factions met on February 16 with the delegation headed by OSCE
Chairman-in-Office, State Secretary and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan
Kanat Saudabayev.
A. Petrosian said that K. Saudabayev’s visit will provide an
opportunity to become acquainted with regional problems on the spot
and discuss numerous issues, which are of mutual interest and are
related to Armenia-OSCE relations. In her words, Armenia attaches
special importance to cooperation with OSCE which assumed an important
role in the Karabakh conflict settlement. She expressed a hope that
during Kazakhstan’s OSCE Chairmanship, steps on peaceful coexistence
and peaceful resolution of the conflicts in the region will be taken.
A. Petrosian expressed a high opinion about the efforts that the OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chairs make for the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh
conflict. She underlined the Karabakh people’s legitimate demand for
the internationally recognized right of self-determination to form
the basis for the Karabakh conflict settlement.
K. Saudabayev said that the purpose of his visit is to learn the
opinions of Armenian political forces about the Karabakh conflict
settlement because in case of good will and compromise of the conflict
parties, a final solution of the problem is possible, while the
international organizations and the countries concerned about this
problem can only assist with its solution.
According to the press service of the RA National Assembly,
representatives of the NA factions inmformed the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office about opinions regarding the Karabakh conflict
settlement.
In the words of Aram Safarian, Secretary of the Prosperous Armenia
Party (PAP) faction, the Karabakh problem should be solved based on
three internationally recognized principles, with special importance
attached to the right of self-determination.
Head of the ARF faction Vahan Hovhannisian expressed an opinion that
the principle of territorial integrity should be applied in the event
that a country interferes in affairs of another country. However,
if a national and territorial formation within a country seeks a way
to live independently – as in the case of Nagorno Karabakh, then the
principle of self-determination should be applied. V. Hovhannisian
also proposed that the OSCE Chairman-in-Office organize monitoring
of democractic institutions in Nagorno Karabakh which would be the
best step to solve the problem.
Head of Heritage faction Stepan Safarian said that their faction
has a definite viewpoint on conflict resolution: the declaration
of Nagorno Karabakh’s independence is inevitable, which should be
accepted by international subjects. At the current stage, it is
necessary to involve Nagorno Karabakh in the negotiations, otherwise
it is impossible reach the problem’s final solution.
Member of RPA faction Artak Davtian underlined the importance of the
role of Russia and Kazakhstan in the peaceful settlement, expressing
a hope that Kazakhstan will continue to take the same approach during
its chairmanship of the OSCE.
K. Saudabayev stated that the solution of the Karabakh problem
through peace negotiations is the only acceptable version, while the
manifestation of good will by the conflict parties and their readiness
to make a compromise are primary for a successful outcome.