Author: Nahapetian Boris

THE PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA WILL GO TO TURKEY IF THE BORDER IS OPEN OR ON THE THRESHOLD OF RAISING THE BLOCKADE

armradio.am
29.07.2009 11:29

By the invitation of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, the
President of the Republic of Serbia Boris Tadic arrived in Armenia
on a two-day official visit.

The official welcome ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace,
and was followed by a private meeting of Presidents Serzh Sargsyan
and Boris Tadic.

"Mr. President, I am greatly honored to welcomed you in Armenia. This
is the first visit of the Serbian Head of State to our country
and I am confident that it is inspired by the sincere desire to
reinforce the Armenian-Serbian historical and friendly ties by strong
intergovernmental relations. Regrettably, up to now our relations
were not too strong, which reflects neither the historical realities,
nor the existing possibilities. I believe that today the geopolitical
situation not only provides an opportunity but also compels us to
elevate our relations to a new level. I have invited you to Armenia
with that very hope and I am confident that your visit will serve as
a strong impetus for the development of our relations," the President
of Armenia said.

The private meeting of the two Presidents was followed by the meeting
of the official delegations with the participation of Serzh Sargsyan
and Boris Tadic.

President Sargsyan said t hat Armenia desires to establish closer
relations with Serbia and is ready to work toward that end. As a first
step Serzh Sargsyan proposed to invigorate spiritual and cultural
relations, noting that it would serve a solid base for disclosing
the possibilities for cooperation in different areas.

Boris Tadic welcomed President Sargsyan’s proposal and said that
instructions to start works on that direction would be given to the
corresponding structures and by the time of the Armenian President’s
visit to Serbia the first results would already be there.

The two sides spoke also about possibilities for cooperation in the
areas of transportation and economy. They noted that the economic
component would bolster the development of the Armenian-Serbian
relations.

Boris Tadic said that Serbia intends to open embassy in Armenia
so that the Ambassador is able to contribute to the development of
bilateral relations in Yerevan rather than from Athens.

The Presidents of Armenia and Serbia exchanged views on existing
problems in the South Caucasus and Balkan regions and possibilities
for their resolution. The parties concurred that the problems can
and must be solved exclusively through peaceful negotiations and
peace processes.

The meeting of the Presidnets was followed by a joint press conference,
during which President Serzh Sargsyan stated:

"Today we are honored to host in Armenia the President of the Republic
of Serbia, my dear colleague Boris Tanic.

Our two nations have been maintaining friendly relations for centuries.

Serbia is one of those countries which genially welcomed many
survivors of the Armenian Genocide and particularly those who had
fled the Izmir massacres of 1922.

Our people also remember with gratitude indispensable spiritual and
material aid of the friendly Serbian people in the aftermath of the
devastating Spitak earthquake of 1988. We will forever hold sacred the
memory of the Yugoslav pilots who perished in the name of their mission
– to give a helping hand to a friendly nation in the direst time.

We have discussed with the President of Serbia in a congenial and
constructive way the current stage of the Armenian-Serbian relations
and their prospects, exchanged views on a number of international
and regional issues of mutual interest, and spoke about cooperation
in the framework of international organizations.

Facilitation of the political dialogue, establishment and strengthening
of interparliamentary relations, development of trade and economic
relations between Armenia and Serbia are important components of
our partnership.

Not so distant experience of our two countries brought the President
of Serbia and me to the same conclusion that use of force in the
settlement of regional conflicts must be ruled out; conflicts must
be solved exclusively through peaceful means and peace negotiations
based on the principles and norms of international law.

We are confident that one universal mode for the conflict resolution
simply does not exist. Each conflict has its own origins, causes,
and unique course. It is impossible to get to a fair and long-lasting
solution without taking them into consideration.

I also told President Tadic about the developments which followed my
initiative on the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. I
also informed him on the details of the current phase of the
process. As you know, little time is left till the return match of
the national football teams of Armenia and Turkey, which I have been
invited to attend by the President of Turkey Abdullah Gule. In the
existing circumstances we, certainly, anticipate to witness in the
nearest future some constructive steps, through which our partners
will try to create a corresponding milieu for the reciprocal visit of
the President of Armenia. I reiterated for President Tadic my previous
statements that I will accept the invitation only if the agreements are
observed and visible steps are taken, i.e. I will go to Turkey if the
border is open or if we are on the threshold of raising the blockade.

Mr. President, I am confident that your delegation will have very
productive meetings here, in Yerevan, which will give a momentum for
elevating our relations to a qualitatively new level.

ARMAVIA OPENS YEREVAN – KHARKOV – YEREVAN FLIGHT

ArmInfo
2009-07-28 12:26:00

ArmInfo. Armenian national air carrier Armavia Company has announced
a new flight Yerevan- Kharkov-Yerevan. The first flight was made on
July 27 in the evening.

The new flight proved highly in demand. "I had to leave for Kharkov
by transit flights spending too much time and efforts. Now, the
way will become much more comfortable", a passenger says. It is
already the fourth destination point in Ukraine after Kiev, Odessa and
Simferopol. The presentation of the flight was held also in Kharkov on
arrival of the plane from Yerevan past midnight. The timetable of the
flight is as follows (local time): flight from Yerevan at 11:00pm,
arrival in Kharkov at 11:05pm, flight from Kharkov at 00:05 +1;
arrival in Yerevan at 04:00am. Armavia makes nearly 250 flights
monthly to over 30 destinations.

MATTHEW BRYZA SAYS NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS AND KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS SLACKENING

ArmInfo
2009-07-27 14:36:00

ArmInfo. Normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations and the
Karabakh peace process are slackening, US Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group Matthew Bryza told the Azerbaijani service of Radio Liberty.

He is sure that certain progress was observed several months ago in
the Armenian-Turkish relations and several weeks ago in the Karabakh
conflict’s settlement. Nevertheless, the subjects of discussions are
very delicate and the negotiations have slackened at a certain stage,
he said.

He believes that both the negotiations have faced a moment when the
parties should focus on the development of a strategy to intensify
these processes.

M. Bryza said that the three countries involved in these processes are
at this very stage. He reiterated that the Armenian-Turkish process
and the Karabakh peace process are two separate processes and they
in Washington should try to achieve progress in each process without
forgetting that these are two different processes.

NEXT SARGSYAN-ALIYEV MEETING PROBABLE IN CHISINAU

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
27.07.2009 15:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During a working meeting in Krakow on Sunday,
Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group focused on preparation of an updated
version of Madrid Document in compliance with the statement issued
recently by Russian, French and U.S. Presidents.

In September, the mediators will visit the region
to organize a regular presidential meeting which will
presumably held during a CIS summit in Chisinau, Moldova

ARMENIA NEGOTIATING WITH EBRD, ADB TO ATTRACT FUNDS FOR CREATING FREE ECONOMIC ZONE

/ARKA/
July 27, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, June 27. /ARKA/. Armenia is negotiating with European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Asian Development Bank
to attract funds for creating a free economic zone near Zvartnots
Airport, Armenian Economy Minister Nerses Nersisyan said Friday at
a press conference.

The Government plans to put the free-zone business project into
reality later this year.

The project is estimated to cost $200 to $250 million. The initial
stage will cost $50 million.

Nersisyan said that the construction of a logistic center and the
free trade zone for trade in fresh fruits and vegetables as well as
jewelry will be implemented in several stages.

"Negotiations are being held now with European and Asian development
banks on attraction of credits and possible partnership in the
project", Yeritsyan said.

He also aid that Armenian Government asked the Dutch leadership to
sent relevant experts to Armenia.

The International Union of Armenian Jewelers expressed willingness
to take financial part of the project.

The minister said that the logistic center would engage in
transportation of products from fields to the airport and then to
other countries.

Yeritsyan said that the project is likely to be expanded in the future.

In his words, elaboration of the business plan will be completed by
the end of thi s year, and after that it will be possible to embark
on attracting funds.

The creation of the free economic zone near the Armenian airport will
spur Armenian economy, give domestic manufacturers a chance to enter
new markets and simplify Armenian export.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN ON "PERMANENT" HIATUS

Examiner.com
27-Dallas-Metal-Music-Examiner~y2009m7d22-System-o f-a-Down-on-permanent-hiatus
July 22 2009

However you want to classify them, alternative metal, numetal, or
whatever, Los Angeles based System of a Down surprised the heavy metal
world in the late nineties with their distinctive sound. A combination
of thrash and alternative metal combined with music and chants
that resemble more traditional music from their Armenian roots, the
quartet lit up the heavy metal world with their moderately successful
self-titled debut album and its massively successful follow-up,
Toxicity. Those two albums alone launched System of a Down into the
metal scene full steam and the band provided incredible albums for
the next several years gaining mass popularity around the world.

Rough, angst-ridden and frenzied music with growling yet sometimes
harmonizing vocals, mixed with their often politically charged
lyrics attracted truckloads of fans year after year and every album
released seemed like the band could do no wrong as the multiple award
nominations repeatedly rolled in their direction.

>From their multi-million seller Toxicity, songs like "Chop Suey!",
the title track or the more dramatic "Aerials", shot the band into
instant stardom and they continued to never disappoint their fans
with follow-ups like "B.Y.O.B." and "Question!" both songs from
their Billboard topping first-half of a double album release in 2005
Mezmerize / Hypnotize.

Sometimes good things never last. Back in 2005, while I was living
in Los Angeles, a friend of mine who personally knew members of the
band, leaked to me that once SOAD’s recording contract was fulfilled,
they were going to call it quits.

He was sort of right. In 2006, about one year following the releases of
Mezmerize / Hypnotize the band announced they’d be taking a necessary
break from each other for awhile. Several more recent interviews
with co-founders, guitarist Daron Malakian and vocalist Serj Tankian
confirmed that there’s no turmoil within the band, but the temporary
rest from recording and touring is "healthy" and none of the band
members know how long the hiatus will last.

Since the declaration to take a break, Tankian has embarked on a
solo career but enlisting SOAD drummer John Dolmayan for part of the
project. His first album, Elect the Dead has done well with varied
reviews and he’s currently working on the second album.

While Tankian was producing his solo work, guitarists Daron Malakian
and John Dolmayan also tried their hands at a side project called
Scars on Broadway. Their debut album was released in 2008 also to
mixed reviews. Currently, unofficial reports state that Scars on
Broadway no longer exists.

Both albums by the side projects have provided a nice, yet small
reminiscent trek back to System of a Down’s heyday, but in SOAD’s
case, it is truly a situation where the whole is greater than the
sum of its parts.

Personally, I hope this System of a Down hiatus is not permanent as
has been described by various sources closer to the band members. I’d
really hate to miss out on some of the music they could provide in
the future for us fans.

AAA RELEASED A STATEMENT ON NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
23.07.2009 01:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) issued a
statement in regard to the Nagorno Karabakh peace process. The full
text of the statement, sent to PanARMENIAN.Net, particularly says:
"On the occasion of the July 17-18 meetings of the Presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow, in regard to the Nagorno Karabakh
peace process, under the auspices of the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe Minsk Group (OSCE), the Assembly reiterates
its long-standing position that any resolution must be acceptable to
the people of both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

The meetings follow the joint declaration by the presidents of the
United States, France and Russia on July 10, at the recent Group of
Eight conference in Italy, in which the presidents instructed the
"mediators to present to the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan an
updated version of the Madrid Document of November 2007, the Co-Chairs’
last articulation of the Basic Principles," and urged the parties to
"resolve the few remaining differences…."

The issues are complex and will require time to reach a solution that
is acceptable to all parties, and most specifically to the citizens
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Throughout the ongoing negotiation
process, and again on July 16, the Armenian Government has stated that
no agreement can be reached without the concurrence of the government
and citizens of Nagorno Karabakh. We fully endorse that policy and urge
the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to ensure that the government of Nagorno
Karabakh joins the negotiation process as soon as possible. We note
that the OSCE Co-Chairs have repeatedly, and as recently as July 8,
called for the inclusion of Nagorno Karabakh.

We urge the United States, in particular, to ensure the fulfillment
of President Barack Obama’s campaign pledge "to work for a lasting and
durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that is agreeable
to all parties, and based upon America’s founding commitment to
the principles of democracy and self determination." The Assembly
also recalls the leadership of the United States Senate and the
passage of S.J. Res. 178 in 1989, which expressed U.S. support
for "the fundamental rights and the aspirations of the people
of Nagorno-Karabagh." Moreover, the Assembly strongly supports
the fundamental rights of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, and its
independence from foreign rule and oppression. To that end, we support
the efforts of the governments of Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia.

For more than two decades the Assembly has committed its resources
to the pursuit of the just cause of the Armenian people of Nagorno
Karabakh. We have played an instrumental role in Congress, from
the Senate adoption of S.J. Res. 178, to the enactment of Section
907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, which prohibits U.S. assistance to
Azerbaijan until its dual blockades of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh
are lifted. We will continue to strongly support maximum assistance and
aid to Nagorno Karabakh to further promote its democratic development
and overcome the consequences of Azerbaijan’s aggression.

Therefore, we call upon the presidents of the United States, France
and Russia, whose nations collectively serve as the OSCE’s Minsk
Group co-chairs, to denounce Azerbaijan’s ongoing war rhetoric and its
threats for a resumption of military action. A new war will not only
undermine the peace process, but will also lead to the destabilization
of the South Caucasus.

The Assembly stands united with all Armenians to protect the freedom
and security of the Nagorno Karabakh people in the face of these most
serious external threats. The suffering endured and the sacrifices
made by Armenians since the Armenian Genocide deserves nothing less."

CHANCE TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH ANKARA NOT LOST – ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

Interfax
July 20 2009
Russia

Yerevan says relations with Turkey can still be stabilized.

"I think that the chance to stabilize our bilateral relations have
not been lost yet. There is no such country that would not welcome
Armenian-Turkish reconciliation. Only Azerbaijan is opposing it, which,
in my view, is wrong. The Armenian-Turkish reconciliation is good for
the whole region, and Azerbaijan is part of this region," Armenian
Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian told a press conference on Monday.

So far Armenia and Turkey have not signed any document stabilizing
their relations, Nalbandian said.

Nor are there any plans to set up a commission of historians to
investigate the Armenian genocide, he said.

"There is no agreement between Armenia and Turkey to set up a
commission to investigate the Armenian genocide. It was stated
repeatedly that if parties reach a consensus, this will mean that
bilateral relations will be stabilized, diplomatic relations will
be established, the border will be opened, and an inter-governmental
commission will be formed to deal with various issues, including how
the two nations can rebuild their confidence," the Armenian foreign
minister said.

ARMENIAN UNITY: THREE HYPOSTASIS
Leonid Martirosyan

Azat Artsakh Daily
July 20, 2009
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

At the end of the last week the Pan-Armenian conference was held in
Stepanakert, devoted to the Armenian-Turkish relations and the Karabakh
problem. It was under the patronage of the President of the NKR,
and was organized by the Central Board "Hay Dat" ARF "Dashnaktsutyun"
with the financial support of "Pyunik".

The conference in the capital of NKR is so naturally taking into
account the current realities in the Karabakh settlement. Of
course, the Pan-Armenian conference was dedicated not only to the
problem Artsakh. Together with the Karabakh problem the question
of Armenian-Turkish relations was also discussed in the context
of recent political developments, which gave the forum a special
significance. It is quite understandable. In this regard, however,
it is necessary to underline that such Pan-Armenian campaign would be
better to hold earlier as many questions raised at the conference was
urgent by virtue of its urgency. It is enough to remember militaristic
statements expressed by Azerbaijan, which left no doubt about the
true intentions of Baku, acting in close tandem with Ankara. But as
they say, better late than never. It is pleasant that the conference,
recognizing the errors of the past, among which can be considered some
disagreements not only between20the Armenian political forces, but also
in the expert community, declared the urgent need of consolidation,
mobilization of internal capacity of all Armenians. There was an
idea at the conference that without Artsakh there is no Armenia,
and by the highest standards, it is not possible without Diaspora
too. By the way, it is well understood also in Azerbaijan and Turkey,
which do not spare effort and means for the destruction of Artsakh as
a national idea, which are knitted, formed in the years of Karabakh
movement, trinity of Armenia, Diaspora and Artsakh. At the forum,
as it was already noted, many relevant questions were raised, the
solution of which individually were not possible.

And the unification is capable to provide the search of decisions
and their realization in the interests of the Armenian people in
the face of the real threat proceeding from the Azerbaijan-Turkish
alliance. Unfortunately, the threat, voluntarily or not, is supported
also by a number of international structures involved in the process
of the permission of the Karabakh conflict in particular and the
Armenian-Turkish relations – in general.

Thus, in the days of the Forum the countries-co-chairmen of the Minsk
group of the OSCE within the limits of the statement accepted at the
Summit G8 in Italy, were published the main principles of the Madrid
proposals, on the basis of which, as is well known, now the process of
the Karabakh settlement is held. It is enough to notice that one of
the points of this document, concerning to the released territories,
is unacceptable for the Karabakhian part as its performance threatens
the safety of the NKR. There is no doubt that the situation in the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict has undergone radical changes,
which in itself also requires a change in the attitudes of both
Armenian parts to the development of the national security. While
at the conference came a question about further strengthening of the
Three Ones, as it was noted by many at the forum, the realization of
this formula appears in the form of clearly defined roles. Karabakh
as a direct part of the conflict, a priori is located on the front
line, which defines its mission. Armenia should support Artsakh by
the diplomatic means under the NKR President’s proclaimed principles,
which reflect the concept of the Karabakh leadership concerning to the
established state of the NKR. At the opening of the conference Bako
Sahakyan once again clearly emphasized: "Our position was clear and
has remained unchanged: the independence of the Republic of Nagorno
Karabakh is fact and there can be no discussions". As for the Diaspora,
an important role was given to it at the conference. The essence of it
is in the support of the socio-economic development of NK as a state
achieving the international recognition of its de facto independence.

Only a coord inated approach to the realization of these basic and
priority problems is capable to realize the total document accepted
at the conference directed on the protection of the interests of the
native land. That native land, which, according to the spirit of the
conference, is a trinity of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora. It
is necessary to hope that all plans born at the conference will be
materialized in the concrete affairs.

ARMENIAN DEPUTY MINISTER SAYS AZERI AUTHORITIES "MISLEADING" PUBLIC ON KARABAKH

Public Television of Armenia
July 13 2009

[Presenter] We invited Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan
today to Haylur studio in order to hear his interpretation of the
Obama-Sarkozy-Medvedev statement, and receive answers on matters
that worry our public. Mr Kocharyan, what is your assessment of the
statement by the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries,
on the publicized provisions and topics of the negotiations?

[Kocharyan] You very correctly drew a distinction between the two
documents: a statement by the leaders of the three co-chair countries,
and another one which contains the basic principles on which the
negotiations are being held – the one which has been posted on
websites. Of course, this is not a complete list of issues on the
negotiating table. As for the statement, it is obvious that the
leaders of such powerful states would make a joint statement. This
is aimed at giving a new boost to the negotiation process on an issue
that has failed reach its logical conclusion for years.

Secondly, as for the provisions around which the negotiations are
being held, this shows what kind of achievement the sides have made in
this long negotiation process. Of course, the co-chairs specifically
mentioned comprehensiveness in reaching consent. This does not mean
that some provisions can be applied separately. The three principal
approaches of the Armenian side, around which we are working and on
which we will continue working, are expressed here. The first one is
the status of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic.

Only the population of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic [NKR] should
decide its fate through a referendum, and its results should be
binding. Before this referendum is held, it should be given an interim
status, by which the Nagornyy Karabakh republic will, to a certain
extent, be recognized as an international entity.

The next one is a reliable territorial route between the Nagornyy
Karabakh republic and the Republic of Armenia. And finally,
an extremely important provision: an internationally established
multi-layer system, which will ensure the security of the population
of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic.

These are the three basic principles we have always striven for. In
fact, the negotiations still continue. This does not mean at all that
that document which has yet to be signed has been published. There
is still serious work, and very serious approaches and very hard work
is required to make all those provisions precise.

[Presenter] A meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents
will be held at the end of this week [17 July] in Moscow. What are
the expectations from this meeting between Sargsyan and Aliyev?

[Kocharyan] You know, on the one hand, this is just another meeting. On
the other, this is a meeting that is held after that the statement
[by the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries]. From this
point of view, one should not have very exaggerated notions as often
happens and then to say – oh, you know… In reality, clarification –
negotiations – around a few provisions will be held. That is not to
expect that issues will be resolved immediately after the statement
of the three co-chair countries. It is not like that. I can even say
it is unfortunately not like that because the approaches of the sides
are still different in many issues.

[Presenter] Mr Kocharyan, you came back from [the NKR capital]
Stepanakert, where you took part in a forum on Armenian-Turkish
relations and the Karabakh settlement, organized by the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun. With what impressions did
you come back, and how would you assess the results of that forum?

[Passage omitted: Kocharyan says that the forum discussed
two main issues: Armenian-Turkish relations and the Karabakh
settlement. Kocharyan speaks about Dashnaktsutyun’s role in the
Karabakh war.]

I believe that Dashnaktsutyun’s approach is very logical, and also,
that it organized the forum. A resolution was approved [at the
forum]. Of course, it does not always coincide with our official points
of view and approaches, but whatever case, I assess it as positive.

[Presenter] Mr Kocharyan, there has been a lot of talk about the need
for Artsakh’s [Karabakh] participation in the negotiations. What is
being done in this direction? What is being done in order to ensure
the participation of the Artsakh side?

[Kocharyan] This has always varied; the approach of the Armenian side
is that the two Armenian sides take part in the negotiations, and
in the first place, the Nagornyy Karabakh republic itself. It is not
accidental, if we view the so-called already published principles, we
will see that all there refer to the Nagornyy Karabakh republic itself,
and a question arises here, and there is often criticism as to why
the co-chairs, addressing the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, do
not address the president of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic. You know,
addressing it would mean recognizing the Nagornyy Karabakh republic.

[Passage omitted: Kocharyan says the statement by the US, French and
Russian leaders may help Nagornyy Karabakh’s in its bid to participate
in the talks]

[Presenter] Mr Kocharyan, the last question – we have already seen
some elements of hysteria rising in Azerbaijan. How would you view
the fact that the Azerbaijani society itself may not be ready for
progress in the settlement?

[Kocharyan] You know, if we pay attention to the already published
provisions and to the statements the Armenian authorities have made
over these years, you will see no contradiction between them. What
we have consistently said – the status, security guarantees and a
reliable territorial route – all these are available.

Now, let’s see what Azerbaijan has said. What it has said and what
has been published are, essentially, contradictory. Just recently, the
Azerbaijani president and foreign minister said: "Only we will decide
the status of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic, this is our territory."

So, what happened? Their panic is connected with the fact that
the Azerbaijani government was misleading its own public about the
reality of the negotiations, about the topic on the negotiations
table. Moreover, you remember that for about a year, it denied the
existence of the Madrid principles, around which it had agreed to
hold negotiations.

That’s why they have found themselves in a very difficult
position. They also realize the following: the document that exists,
in essence, means that Azerbaijan is being obliged to accept something
that has become a reality a long time ago.

What is this circumstance? It is that the Nagornyy Karabakh republic
in fact has no connection with Azerbaijan. It is independent, it
is sovereign, and the provisions [words indistinct] Azerbaijan is
accepting in an obliged way that it has no more authority over the
Nagornyy Karabakh republic. This refers both to the final status,
which will be decided by the people of Nagornyy Karabakh republic in
a referendum, and the interim [status].

Moreover, if they have hope, the only hope is that the people of the
NKR may express a wish to be part of Azerbaijan.

First of all, let me state a few things. First, the vote will be held
with the ratio of Armenians and Azerbaijanis that existed in 1988. And
this was 75-80 per cent Armenians and the rest – Azerbaijanis. This
is the first, and extremely important one.

The next one: The issue that the Azerbaijanis who resided in Karabakh
should return, and only then a referendum can be held is not on the
negotiation table at all. The foreign minister has said very clearly
recently that there is no issue of return until the settlement
takes place. That is, it is understandable what the word is about,
that is, distortions made again by the Azerbaijani authorities. Two
communities, contradiction, conflict – all this was again aimed at
misleading their own people.