Tweet
ARMENIAN MINISTER SAYS OSCE KARABAKH STATEMENT "NOT PERFECT"
Arminfo
29 Jun 06
Yerevan, June 29: The document on the principles of settling the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict which is on the negotiating table is
comprehensive, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said in an
interview with ArmenPress news agency. He was commenting on the 22
June statement by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen.
He said that the document covers every principle that might impact on
the settlement process, mainly the status of Nagornyy Karabakh, the
return of territories, refugees, security issues, the deployment of
peacekeepers and other issues, necessary for achieving a long-lasting
settlement.
Having reached agreement on all these issues, the sides in cooperation
with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will start drafting an agreement
on the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, the implementation
of which demands time.
Touching upon the issue of the "redeployment of Armenian troops from
Azerbaijani territories around Nagornyy Karabakh", Vardan Oskanyan
noted that such a formula has two aspects - one is the issue of Lacin
District "which must become a corridor connecting Nagornyy Karabakh
with Armenia". As far as Armenia is concerned, Lacin must have the
same status as Nagornyy Karabakh.
"The second stage applies to Kelbajar District. As far as Armenia is
concerned, everything is clear here - due to security reasons Kelbajar
can be retu rned only after a referendum and after determining the
status of Nagornyy Karabakh. The sides have failed to reach agreement
on these issues as well and this is what the co-chairmen referred
to in their statement, and their wording is very similar to that of
Armenia's, the minister stressed.
Speaking about who will take part in a referendum on determining the
status of Nagornyy Karabakh, Vardan Oskanyan quoted the statement as
saying that it would be the population of Nagornyy Karabakh to vote.
Apart from that he noted that the co-chairmen stressed in their
statement the significance of international involvement in the
settlement process as it is an important issue for the Nagornyy
Karabakh people.
[Passage omitted: the NKR people has the right to run its own country]
As regards Armenia's assessment of the document, Vardan Oskanyan said
it was not perfect. However, it is sufficiently sound and balanced,
and contains provisions for equal compromises and "we are confident
that talks can be continued on the basis of these principles", the
minister stressed. He noted that Azerbaijan continues to make bellicose
statements which surprises the Armenian side, because there is a real
chance of solving all the issues, including the refugee issue.
Azerbaijan must start thinking more realistically and not cherish
such dreams. "We hope that Azerbaijan will realize that there is a
chance to resolve the conflict and achieve a lasting peace," Vardan
Oskanyan said.
Arminfo
29 Jun 06
Yerevan, June 29: The document on the principles of settling the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict which is on the negotiating table is
comprehensive, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said in an
interview with ArmenPress news agency. He was commenting on the 22
June statement by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen.
He said that the document covers every principle that might impact on
the settlement process, mainly the status of Nagornyy Karabakh, the
return of territories, refugees, security issues, the deployment of
peacekeepers and other issues, necessary for achieving a long-lasting
settlement.
Having reached agreement on all these issues, the sides in cooperation
with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will start drafting an agreement
on the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, the implementation
of which demands time.
Touching upon the issue of the "redeployment of Armenian troops from
Azerbaijani territories around Nagornyy Karabakh", Vardan Oskanyan
noted that such a formula has two aspects - one is the issue of Lacin
District "which must become a corridor connecting Nagornyy Karabakh
with Armenia". As far as Armenia is concerned, Lacin must have the
same status as Nagornyy Karabakh.
"The second stage applies to Kelbajar District. As far as Armenia is
concerned, everything is clear here - due to security reasons Kelbajar
can be retu rned only after a referendum and after determining the
status of Nagornyy Karabakh. The sides have failed to reach agreement
on these issues as well and this is what the co-chairmen referred
to in their statement, and their wording is very similar to that of
Armenia's, the minister stressed.
Speaking about who will take part in a referendum on determining the
status of Nagornyy Karabakh, Vardan Oskanyan quoted the statement as
saying that it would be the population of Nagornyy Karabakh to vote.
Apart from that he noted that the co-chairmen stressed in their
statement the significance of international involvement in the
settlement process as it is an important issue for the Nagornyy
Karabakh people.
[Passage omitted: the NKR people has the right to run its own country]
As regards Armenia's assessment of the document, Vardan Oskanyan said
it was not perfect. However, it is sufficiently sound and balanced,
and contains provisions for equal compromises and "we are confident
that talks can be continued on the basis of these principles", the
minister stressed. He noted that Azerbaijan continues to make bellicose
statements which surprises the Armenian side, because there is a real
chance of solving all the issues, including the refugee issue.
Azerbaijan must start thinking more realistically and not cherish
such dreams. "We hope that Azerbaijan will realize that there is a
chance to resolve the conflict and achieve a lasting peace," Vardan
Oskanyan said.