Armenia not to trade Karabakh for share in regional projects, minister says
Mediamax news agency
22 Sep 04
YEREVAN
"Armenia cannot be intimidated by statements that it may remain
sidelined from regional oil, gas and transport projects," Armenian
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said in Yerevan today.
The Armenian minister said that "Nagornyy Karabakh has no price and is
not an object of bargaining, therefore, we are rejecting suggestions
that by safeguarding its interests the Armenian side is depriving
itself of the opportunity to take part in major regional projects".
Vardan Oskanyan added that if neighbouring countries were interested
in the rehabilitation of the Kars [Turkey] - Gyumri [Armenia] railway,
Armenia would welcome that.
"At the same time, if there is an intention to build the Kars-Tbilisi
railway, we have no objections to that. In fact, Armenia may even use
it itself," Vardan Oskanyan said.
"We have never linked the Nagornyy Karabakh problem with regional
problems and have no intention of doing so in the future either," the
Armenian foreign minister said.
Mediamax news agency
22 Sep 04
YEREVAN
"Armenia cannot be intimidated by statements that it may remain
sidelined from regional oil, gas and transport projects," Armenian
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said in Yerevan today.
The Armenian minister said that "Nagornyy Karabakh has no price and is
not an object of bargaining, therefore, we are rejecting suggestions
that by safeguarding its interests the Armenian side is depriving
itself of the opportunity to take part in major regional projects".
Vardan Oskanyan added that if neighbouring countries were interested
in the rehabilitation of the Kars [Turkey] - Gyumri [Armenia] railway,
Armenia would welcome that.
"At the same time, if there is an intention to build the Kars-Tbilisi
railway, we have no objections to that. In fact, Armenia may even use
it itself," Vardan Oskanyan said.
"We have never linked the Nagornyy Karabakh problem with regional
problems and have no intention of doing so in the future either," the
Armenian foreign minister said.