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STEPANAKERT READY TO NEGOTIATE WITH BAKU - BAKO SAHAKYAN
Tert.am
14:19 01.09.11
Independent Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) has entered its twenties.
In an interview with Nezavisimaya Gazeta NKR President Bako Sahakyan
told about the counties' achievements, problems and priorities.
- Mr. President, what have been the three major achievements of
Nagorno-Karabakh since it gained independence 20 years ago?
- I would point out the following three groups of our country's major
achievements. First, independent statehood and its institutions. All
the three branches of power have been completely formed and are
efficiently operating. The NKR has an efficient army, which not
only guarantees its independence and security, but also serves as a
stabilizing factor in the region. Our country embarked on the road of
democratic development, and independent Nagorno-Karabakh does not pose
any threat to any state -either in the South Caucasus or in the world.
Secondly, we have been able to cope with the aftermath of the horrible
war unleashed by Azerbaijan, which actually destroyed our economy.
Artakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) is now a steadily developing economy with
high-level domestic stability.
One more achievement is the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora alliance, which
is one of the fundamentals of our independent statehood and is of
paramount political, economic and psychological importance for both
Artsakh and all Armenians.
- What are the county's top priority tasks?
- I have said that our country steadily developing, but, like any
other state, we have problems to deal with. As some problems are
resolved, others arise, which process is taking place in all the
countries. In this context, I would group the tasks facing our
country into politico-military and socio-economic ones. Among
the politico-military tasks are the following priorities: first,
maintaining strategic balance between Artsakh and Azerbaijan. At
the same time, we are for a peaceful settlement of the conflict
by means of negotiations and are doing our utmost. International
recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh is an all-important political issue
for us. We are well aware the issue is not an easy one and requires
a lot of time and efforts. However, the Nagorno-Karabakh people
and leadership are determined to go on struggling for international
recognition. Constant improvement of our government system, further
democratic reforms, formation of civil society and legal reforms is an
important political task as well. In this context, we attach special
importance to establishing ties with different countries and agencies,
whose experience is necessary for our development.
As regards socio-economic tasks, improving living standards -
especially for socially vulnerable sections of the population - is an
urgent task. Among them are also improving the demographic situation,
developing such sectors as economy, energy, mining and processing
industries, agriculture and tourism. Also, we attach special importance
to attracting investments. We have created a favorable investment
environment, and we have rather liberal tax laws and pay special
attention to legal protection of investors' rights.
- Unlike Abkhazia and Ossetia, with their independence recognized
by some states, Nagorno-Karabakh has not yet been recognized. Are
there any signs that the NKR's sovereignty will be recognized in the
near future?
- I have noted that the NKR's international recognition is among our
priorities. In fact, there are no legal grounds for not recognizing
our independence. In this aspect, our arguments are unassailable.
Another matter is geopolitical reasons, conflicting interests and
so on, which are, to an extent, deterrents to Nagorno-Karabakh's
recognition. But I think that geopolitics and conflicting interests
must give way to right and morals. Striking evidence thereof is that,
over the past three or four years, the process of recognition of
unrecognized states has entered a new, higher-level stage.
Nonetheless, precedents are not decisive factors for us in getting
Nagorno-Karabakh internationally recognized. We will struggle for
recognition irrespective of whether or not other unrecognized states
have been recognized. We have all the grounds - historical, legal,
political and moral.
- In studying the details of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process,
one gets the impression that NKR representatives may soon return to
the negotiating table...
- Nagorno-Karabakh's involvement in the peace process as a full
negotiator is the only chance for a comprehensive settlement of the
conflict. The international mediators, particularly the OSCE Mink
Group, admit this fact. Stepanakert is ready for direct negotiations
with Baku as well as for discussing any issues. I think returning to
the full negotiation format is only a matter of time. The sooner it
happens the sooner the conflict will be resolved.
Tert.am
14:19 01.09.11
Independent Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) has entered its twenties.
In an interview with Nezavisimaya Gazeta NKR President Bako Sahakyan
told about the counties' achievements, problems and priorities.
- Mr. President, what have been the three major achievements of
Nagorno-Karabakh since it gained independence 20 years ago?
- I would point out the following three groups of our country's major
achievements. First, independent statehood and its institutions. All
the three branches of power have been completely formed and are
efficiently operating. The NKR has an efficient army, which not
only guarantees its independence and security, but also serves as a
stabilizing factor in the region. Our country embarked on the road of
democratic development, and independent Nagorno-Karabakh does not pose
any threat to any state -either in the South Caucasus or in the world.
Secondly, we have been able to cope with the aftermath of the horrible
war unleashed by Azerbaijan, which actually destroyed our economy.
Artakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) is now a steadily developing economy with
high-level domestic stability.
One more achievement is the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora alliance, which
is one of the fundamentals of our independent statehood and is of
paramount political, economic and psychological importance for both
Artsakh and all Armenians.
- What are the county's top priority tasks?
- I have said that our country steadily developing, but, like any
other state, we have problems to deal with. As some problems are
resolved, others arise, which process is taking place in all the
countries. In this context, I would group the tasks facing our
country into politico-military and socio-economic ones. Among
the politico-military tasks are the following priorities: first,
maintaining strategic balance between Artsakh and Azerbaijan. At
the same time, we are for a peaceful settlement of the conflict
by means of negotiations and are doing our utmost. International
recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh is an all-important political issue
for us. We are well aware the issue is not an easy one and requires
a lot of time and efforts. However, the Nagorno-Karabakh people
and leadership are determined to go on struggling for international
recognition. Constant improvement of our government system, further
democratic reforms, formation of civil society and legal reforms is an
important political task as well. In this context, we attach special
importance to establishing ties with different countries and agencies,
whose experience is necessary for our development.
As regards socio-economic tasks, improving living standards -
especially for socially vulnerable sections of the population - is an
urgent task. Among them are also improving the demographic situation,
developing such sectors as economy, energy, mining and processing
industries, agriculture and tourism. Also, we attach special importance
to attracting investments. We have created a favorable investment
environment, and we have rather liberal tax laws and pay special
attention to legal protection of investors' rights.
- Unlike Abkhazia and Ossetia, with their independence recognized
by some states, Nagorno-Karabakh has not yet been recognized. Are
there any signs that the NKR's sovereignty will be recognized in the
near future?
- I have noted that the NKR's international recognition is among our
priorities. In fact, there are no legal grounds for not recognizing
our independence. In this aspect, our arguments are unassailable.
Another matter is geopolitical reasons, conflicting interests and
so on, which are, to an extent, deterrents to Nagorno-Karabakh's
recognition. But I think that geopolitics and conflicting interests
must give way to right and morals. Striking evidence thereof is that,
over the past three or four years, the process of recognition of
unrecognized states has entered a new, higher-level stage.
Nonetheless, precedents are not decisive factors for us in getting
Nagorno-Karabakh internationally recognized. We will struggle for
recognition irrespective of whether or not other unrecognized states
have been recognized. We have all the grounds - historical, legal,
political and moral.
- In studying the details of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process,
one gets the impression that NKR representatives may soon return to
the negotiating table...
- Nagorno-Karabakh's involvement in the peace process as a full
negotiator is the only chance for a comprehensive settlement of the
conflict. The international mediators, particularly the OSCE Mink
Group, admit this fact. Stepanakert is ready for direct negotiations
with Baku as well as for discussing any issues. I think returning to
the full negotiation format is only a matter of time. The sooner it
happens the sooner the conflict will be resolved.