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STEP BY STEP: URUGUAYAN OFFICIAL'S VISIT SIGNIFIES "NEW STAGE" IN KARABAKH RECOGNITION POLICY
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
http://www.armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/41074/armenia_uruguay_karabakh_recognition
ANALYSIS | 14.11.12 | 11:06
The so-called Step by Step technology which has been used in promoting
the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide now seems
to be successfully used in the international recognition of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR).
Chairman of the House of Representatives of Uruguay Jorge Orrick
visited Nagorno-Karabakh this week where he met with NKR President
Bako Sahakyan. Head of the Information Department of the Presidential
Administration of Karabakh David Babayan said: "The meeting was held
in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The sides discussed cooperation
between the two countries."
After the meeting Babayan said that it signified the beginning of a new
stage in Karabakh's foreign policy. "We are interested in developing
relations with other countries and it is not conditioned by other
issues, in particular, those related to recognition. Recognition is
a key issue on Karabakh's foreign policy agenda, but it is not an
obsession," said Babayan.
In fact, Karabakh has set out to improve relations with other countries
without requiring recognition. Though, good relations and economic ties
are the best way of recognition. And the visit of such a high-ranking
official of Uruguay is already a recognition of sorts.
The Foreign Ministries of the two Armenian states believe that friendly
relations with foreign states will contribute to a peaceful and just
settlement of the Karabakh conflict and prevention of a new war.
According to Karabakh's presidential spokesman Babayan, the NKR
President noted during the meeting with the visiting Uruguayan
official that the relations between Karabakh and Uruguay in various
fields should be brought to a new level.
After the meeting, Uruguay Parliament Foreign Relations Committee
member Ruben Martinez Huelmo and head of the parliamentary group of
the Armenian-Uruguayan friendship at the Armenian National Assembly,
ARF Bureau member Vahan Hovhannisyan talked to the media.
Hovhannisyan reminded of a seminar hosted by Uruguay last year during
which Uruguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Almagro expressed the
view that the process of the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh could
enter a natural channel. "This is a process that should be carried
out step by step. The visit and the meeting are the first steps that
should be continued," stressed Hovhannisyan.
"A visit to Artsakh does not require particular courage, that's
just a step. We have friendly relations with the Armenian people,"
said Huelmo.
Uruguay was the first country to recognize the Armenian Genocide
in 1965. Responding to the question whether the recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh by Uruguay was possible, Huelmo said: "In theory yes.
But this is a political process that must be carried out step by step.
All steps need to be put in a set and presented as arguments to the
political forces."
In May, while visiting Yerevan, Uruguayan Foreign Minister Almagro
said that "Nagorno-Karabakh is closely linked with Armenia and this
is the future of Karabakh that it can choose exercising its right
to self-determination." There were reports that he would also pay a
visit to Karabakh, but he didn't.
The recognition process, however, is underway. The legislatures of
the U.S. states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts already passed
resolutions calling on the U.S. President and Congress to support
the self-determination and independence of Nagorno Karabakh.
In October, the Australian state of New South Wales followed suit.
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Hay Dat committees have been
conducting active work on the recognition of the NKR and developing
its ties with other countries. It was through the efforts of this
traditional Armenian party that this year Karabakh was visited by
parliamentarians of France, Switzerland and other countries.
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
http://www.armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/41074/armenia_uruguay_karabakh_recognition
ANALYSIS | 14.11.12 | 11:06
The so-called Step by Step technology which has been used in promoting
the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide now seems
to be successfully used in the international recognition of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR).
Chairman of the House of Representatives of Uruguay Jorge Orrick
visited Nagorno-Karabakh this week where he met with NKR President
Bako Sahakyan. Head of the Information Department of the Presidential
Administration of Karabakh David Babayan said: "The meeting was held
in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The sides discussed cooperation
between the two countries."
After the meeting Babayan said that it signified the beginning of a new
stage in Karabakh's foreign policy. "We are interested in developing
relations with other countries and it is not conditioned by other
issues, in particular, those related to recognition. Recognition is
a key issue on Karabakh's foreign policy agenda, but it is not an
obsession," said Babayan.
In fact, Karabakh has set out to improve relations with other countries
without requiring recognition. Though, good relations and economic ties
are the best way of recognition. And the visit of such a high-ranking
official of Uruguay is already a recognition of sorts.
The Foreign Ministries of the two Armenian states believe that friendly
relations with foreign states will contribute to a peaceful and just
settlement of the Karabakh conflict and prevention of a new war.
According to Karabakh's presidential spokesman Babayan, the NKR
President noted during the meeting with the visiting Uruguayan
official that the relations between Karabakh and Uruguay in various
fields should be brought to a new level.
After the meeting, Uruguay Parliament Foreign Relations Committee
member Ruben Martinez Huelmo and head of the parliamentary group of
the Armenian-Uruguayan friendship at the Armenian National Assembly,
ARF Bureau member Vahan Hovhannisyan talked to the media.
Hovhannisyan reminded of a seminar hosted by Uruguay last year during
which Uruguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Almagro expressed the
view that the process of the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh could
enter a natural channel. "This is a process that should be carried
out step by step. The visit and the meeting are the first steps that
should be continued," stressed Hovhannisyan.
"A visit to Artsakh does not require particular courage, that's
just a step. We have friendly relations with the Armenian people,"
said Huelmo.
Uruguay was the first country to recognize the Armenian Genocide
in 1965. Responding to the question whether the recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh by Uruguay was possible, Huelmo said: "In theory yes.
But this is a political process that must be carried out step by step.
All steps need to be put in a set and presented as arguments to the
political forces."
In May, while visiting Yerevan, Uruguayan Foreign Minister Almagro
said that "Nagorno-Karabakh is closely linked with Armenia and this
is the future of Karabakh that it can choose exercising its right
to self-determination." There were reports that he would also pay a
visit to Karabakh, but he didn't.
The recognition process, however, is underway. The legislatures of
the U.S. states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts already passed
resolutions calling on the U.S. President and Congress to support
the self-determination and independence of Nagorno Karabakh.
In October, the Australian state of New South Wales followed suit.
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Hay Dat committees have been
conducting active work on the recognition of the NKR and developing
its ties with other countries. It was through the efforts of this
traditional Armenian party that this year Karabakh was visited by
parliamentarians of France, Switzerland and other countries.