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READINESS FOR MUTUAL CONCESSIONS ON KARABAKH MAY LEAD TO POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES - AMBASSADOR
news.am
Sept 20 2011
Armenia
YEREVAN. - One of the problems in Karabakh peace process is possible
political consequences for those who take the initiative for mutual
concessions, said Germany's Ambassador to Armenia Hans-Jochen Schmidt.
"Back in 1997 Levon Ter-Petrosyan was most likely ready to resolve
the conflict based on mutual concessions but this apparently led to
some political implications," he said.
According to him, if one side is ready for compromises, it is important
that country's leadership should be supported by the society.
"Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have recently followed our response
to declaration of independence of Kosovo or Russia's recognition of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia. As regards Kosovo, recognition of the new
state was based on self-determination of people. Russia considers
this principle applicable to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. However,
we believe that the case of Kosovo differs significantly," he said.
Ambassador stressed Germany supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk
Group. As to principles of international law, they must be viewed
equally in all the cases, he added. Prioritization of one of the
principles will call into question neutrality of the Minsk Group as
a mediator, Schmidt stressed.
"Over the last decades, the issue of self-determination was realized in
many cases starting from decolonization of Africa and up to East Timor,
Kosovo and Southern Sudan. However, the experts must make assessment
of these processes. In the peace process confidence in neutrality of
the Minsk Group depends on maintenance of parity," he concluded.
news.am
Sept 20 2011
Armenia
YEREVAN. - One of the problems in Karabakh peace process is possible
political consequences for those who take the initiative for mutual
concessions, said Germany's Ambassador to Armenia Hans-Jochen Schmidt.
"Back in 1997 Levon Ter-Petrosyan was most likely ready to resolve
the conflict based on mutual concessions but this apparently led to
some political implications," he said.
According to him, if one side is ready for compromises, it is important
that country's leadership should be supported by the society.
"Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have recently followed our response
to declaration of independence of Kosovo or Russia's recognition of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia. As regards Kosovo, recognition of the new
state was based on self-determination of people. Russia considers
this principle applicable to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. However,
we believe that the case of Kosovo differs significantly," he said.
Ambassador stressed Germany supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk
Group. As to principles of international law, they must be viewed
equally in all the cases, he added. Prioritization of one of the
principles will call into question neutrality of the Minsk Group as
a mediator, Schmidt stressed.
"Over the last decades, the issue of self-determination was realized in
many cases starting from decolonization of Africa and up to East Timor,
Kosovo and Southern Sudan. However, the experts must make assessment
of these processes. In the peace process confidence in neutrality of
the Minsk Group depends on maintenance of parity," he concluded.