KARABAKH NEGOTIATIONS ARE PAUSED
PanARMENIAN.Net
04.03.2010 16:07 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ No significant progress was observed in Karabakh
conflict settlement negotiations; no radical changes are to be
expected, according to NKR external relations committee chairman
Vahram Atanesyan.
As he told a news conference in Yerevan, Karabakh negotiations were
halted, as Azerbaijan continues distorting the essence, methodology
and perspectives of Karabakh conflict settlement.
NKR sees the recognition of Karabakh people’s right for self
determination as the solution of the conflict, Vahram Atanesyan stated,
adding that the issue can’t be settled without official Stepanakert’s
involvement in negotiations. "Negotiation format has to be brought
up to standards stipulated in OSCE documents," he emphasized.
As Vahram Atanesyan noted, Artsakh authorities are taking steps to
repatriate Karabakh people to their residences, citing population
growth in Shahumyan region as an example.
Dwelling on Abkhazia and NKR’s mutual recognition of independence,
Vahram Atanesyan reported that NKR President addressed a letter to
Abkhazia president, congratulating him on independence declaration.
"Bako Sahakyan’s participation in Sergey Bagapsh inauguration ceremony
proves both countries will soon recognize each other’s independence,
with the fact to be consolidated though establishment of diplomatic
relations," Karabakh parliamentarian noted.
The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out in
1988, as result of the ethnic cleansing the latter launched in the
final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from
1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994
(when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most
of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions is
now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are
holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.