DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 26 2007
NKR AND EU READY FOR COOPERATION IN VARIOUS SPHERES
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and European Union are ready for
cooperation in various spheres, NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian
stated today in the course of a briefing held upon completion of a
meeting with the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus
Peter Semneby.
According to Arkady Ghoukassian, NKR-EU cooperation may be considered
within the Karabagh conflict settlement’s context as well, however,
there is understanding that bilateral contacts should be established,
taking into consideration that, in the Karabagh party’s opinion, the
European Union has got a lot to do in the Nagorno-Karabagh, including
economic and social spheres. In the NKR President’s words, in the
course of his meeting with Peter Semneby the matter concerned
concrete programs, and the Karabagh party presented its stand on the
issues.
The head of NKR stated in Peter Semneby’s words the Azeri party did
not put pressure on him in connection with the visits to Artsakh.
`’Azerbaijan’s leadership must have understood that contacts with
Karabagh are necessary”, the NKR President said.
Touching on the terms of the Karabagh conflict settlement, NKR
President noted one should not forecast on the issue, especially
taking into account the lack of confidence between the parties.
According to Arkady Ghoukassian, Azeri authorities’ statements
concerning the Karabagh issue are far from being constructive. `’If
our approach is maximally constructive, while that of Azerbaijan is
destructive, naturally, the issue will not be settled. Today and
during nearest months I see no preconditions to create the atmosphere
that will contribute to the Karabagh conflict’s resolution”, the NKR
head remarked.
Arkady Ghoukassian also said he was aware of the items Armenia and
Azerbaijan could not reach agreements on. In his words, the parties
cannot reach agreement on the issues of the Nagorno-Karabagh’s
status, referendum and territories. `’Actually, there is no issue, on
which it can be strictly said that agreement is reached”, the NKR
President underscored.
Touching on the issue of territories, Arkady Ghoukassian noted
besides the territories controlled by the NKR, there were also
territories of Nagorno-Karabagh controlled by the Azeri party. The
NKR President voiced confidence the issue should also be solved.
At the same time Arkady Ghoukassian refused to speak of the
differences between NKR and RA concerning the Karabagh conflict
settlement discussed in the Armenians press noting Karabagh party was
solving such problems with RA leadership.