MUTUAL CONCESSIONS – NOT END IN ITSELF
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| 15:15:35 | 03-09-2005 | Politics |
Politics is not trade and the notion of “mutual concessions” should be
perceived from the viewpoint of all the parties to conflict. We should
defend our interests and abstract talks about mutual concessions are
inadmissible for me”, NKR Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan stated in
an interview with Ayb-Fe weekly.
Territories are the guarantee for the refugees’ issue
“I am speaking of the parties involved in the conflict. The fate
of Karabakh should be determined by the people of Karabakh. The
authorities of Armenia, Russia or Japan can have a certain role in
the negotiation process, however the final decision should be made
by the Karabakh people”, Arman Melikyan stressed. In his opinion,
the return of territories is not the principal issue. “I think we
should proceed from the universal principles of justice and approach
the issue from the aspect of human rights protection. During many
years these territories were the security zone. However today there
exists one important issue – the fate of Armenian refugees. Today
people speak of 1 million of Azeris but no one speaks of 500 thousand
Armenian. And we hope that the international community will not remain
indifferent to the fate of these people.
Serious prospects
As for Karabakh’s control over the territories and the settling of
the territories, Arman Melikyan thinks it’s an “expensive pleasure”.
“The implementation of such programs will demand great expenses. Our
state does not possess such funds presently. Years are needed to
resettle the refugees”, he says.
As for the conflict settlement, Arman Melikian is rather
optimistic. “The outcome will be positive for us even of years will
past till the conflict is settled”, he stated.