ARMENIA AGAINST PRESERVATION OF STATUS QUO IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH – PM
ITAR-TASS News Agency
September 25, 2007 Tuesday
Recognition of the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno-Karabakh now
would be ill-timed, Armenia’s Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian told a
news conference at the Itar-Tass head office on Tuesday.
"The Armenian leadership has said more than once that the recognition
of Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence would be untimely and I agree with
this," Sarkisian said. "I do not exclude such possibility altogether,
but, probably, this is a means that will never have to be used."
The Armenian prime minister said that "negotiations on that issue are
in progress and the talks have not exhausted all opportunities yet."
In his opinion, "this dispute can be resolved solely through
compromises."
"The negotiating partners are unable to put forward all proposals
they have, but there will always be people who might try to upset
this process. Armenia and Azerbaijan believe that the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue must have a compromise solution."
"Armenia is against preserving the status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The ‘neither-war-nor-peace’ situation does not suit us. I am perfectly
aware that Armenia and Azerbaijan are destined to be neighbors
forever. Contacts and good relations must be established in the
interests of both countries and the entire region."