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GOOD RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA, USA, EUROPE, IRAN A MUST FOR ARMENIAN STATES - DAVID BABAYAN
22:46 23.07.13
In his interview with Tert.am David Babayan, Spokesman for President
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Bako Sahakyan, answered a question
about discussions of an association agreement with the European Union
(EU) between Stepanakert and Yerevan, particularly in the context of
threats to the NKR.
"Everything must be discussed and taken into account. It would be wrong
to say that we must join an organization that would recognize Artsakh
[Nagorno-Karabakh] because the issue of international recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh is not to be settled by joining an organization,"
he said.
The two Armenian states will reap dividends if they keep a balance.
Babayan advises against politicizing the agreement.
- Mr Babayan, in the context of Armenia initialing an association
agreement with the EU in Vilnius, the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is
being viewed. In this respect, which of the unions - the EU or the
Eurasian Union - does Nagorno-Karabakh prefer? Much has been said
that neither of them will recognize Nagorno-Karabakh.
- We view the concept of complementarity - developing friendly
relations with different states, especially with great powers, - as
one of the fundamental principles of Armenian statehood and foreign
policy. A number of factors account for that, the Armenian Diaspora
is the most important of them. We must maintain friendly relations
with all the states where Armenian communities exist. This means that
we must maintain friendly relations with Russia, the United States,
different European states, Iran. We need to formulate a subtle policy.
- Mr Babayan, do you say this in the context of Nagorno-Karabakh
alone or in the context of Armenia as well?
- First, in the context of Nagorno-Karabakh, then in the context
of Armenia because our approaches are in harmony. The complementarity
concept is the most important reality that we must take into account.
In this respect, we should thoroughly discuss what we can benefit
from joining organizations. Is it possible to join both? If it is
impossible, we must do our best to maintain friendly relations with
both. I think we should be committed to this guideline.
- Has official Stepanakert discussed a national version of an
EU association agreement with Yerevan and the ensuring consequence -
considering the talks about threats to Nagorno-Karabakh?
- Everything must be discussed and taken into account. It
would be wrong to say that we must join an organization that
would recognize Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] because the issue of
international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh is not to be settled by
joining an organization. This is the problem. So if we are committed
to this important principle, that is, a balanced approach, we will
reap dividends earlier. I say again, we must not make recognition
of Nagorno-Karabakh an end in itself. This is [Nagorno-Karabakh's
recognition] an unavoidable process, which, however, requires time.
Even if it requires long years, but we must not feel disappointed
or refuse to establish contacts with any state or organization. We
should never fall under the influence of an alliance either. The
most important cause is to preserve a strong Armenian statehood -
both in Arstakh and in Armenia.
- In any case, have any official discussions been held in
Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia? Are any large-scale political and public
discussions being held?
- The public is making different analyses, while at the
official level is somewhat different. Armenia is a sovereign state,
and different discussions are more often at the public level.
- A Karabakh expert voiced an opinion the other day that
an association agreement with the EU is hardly of benefit to
Nagorno-Karabakh. What's your opinion?
- Some people believe that Armenia should initial this agreement,
others do not think it would be right because of other strategic
problems. So we should consider all the opinions, but first of all
our national interests. We should not politicize this agreement. It is
not even clear when Armenia will sign it. In any case, complementary
policy must be a law for us.
- You speak of comlementarity, but our foreign policy has been
defined as "initiative".
- You know that it was Vartan Oskanian [ex-FM of Armenia] that
put the concept of complementarity into use. But he did not consider
the most important factor that is the basis of compelmentarity,
namely, the Armenian Diaspora. This is the most important factor
for us. Of course, specific geopolitical factors play their role,
but our national interests are the most important. The Diaspora is
one of the fundaments of our statehood
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/07/23/davit-babayan1/ .
22:46 23.07.13
In his interview with Tert.am David Babayan, Spokesman for President
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Bako Sahakyan, answered a question
about discussions of an association agreement with the European Union
(EU) between Stepanakert and Yerevan, particularly in the context of
threats to the NKR.
"Everything must be discussed and taken into account. It would be wrong
to say that we must join an organization that would recognize Artsakh
[Nagorno-Karabakh] because the issue of international recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh is not to be settled by joining an organization,"
he said.
The two Armenian states will reap dividends if they keep a balance.
Babayan advises against politicizing the agreement.
- Mr Babayan, in the context of Armenia initialing an association
agreement with the EU in Vilnius, the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is
being viewed. In this respect, which of the unions - the EU or the
Eurasian Union - does Nagorno-Karabakh prefer? Much has been said
that neither of them will recognize Nagorno-Karabakh.
- We view the concept of complementarity - developing friendly
relations with different states, especially with great powers, - as
one of the fundamental principles of Armenian statehood and foreign
policy. A number of factors account for that, the Armenian Diaspora
is the most important of them. We must maintain friendly relations
with all the states where Armenian communities exist. This means that
we must maintain friendly relations with Russia, the United States,
different European states, Iran. We need to formulate a subtle policy.
- Mr Babayan, do you say this in the context of Nagorno-Karabakh
alone or in the context of Armenia as well?
- First, in the context of Nagorno-Karabakh, then in the context
of Armenia because our approaches are in harmony. The complementarity
concept is the most important reality that we must take into account.
In this respect, we should thoroughly discuss what we can benefit
from joining organizations. Is it possible to join both? If it is
impossible, we must do our best to maintain friendly relations with
both. I think we should be committed to this guideline.
- Has official Stepanakert discussed a national version of an
EU association agreement with Yerevan and the ensuring consequence -
considering the talks about threats to Nagorno-Karabakh?
- Everything must be discussed and taken into account. It
would be wrong to say that we must join an organization that
would recognize Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] because the issue of
international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh is not to be settled by
joining an organization. This is the problem. So if we are committed
to this important principle, that is, a balanced approach, we will
reap dividends earlier. I say again, we must not make recognition
of Nagorno-Karabakh an end in itself. This is [Nagorno-Karabakh's
recognition] an unavoidable process, which, however, requires time.
Even if it requires long years, but we must not feel disappointed
or refuse to establish contacts with any state or organization. We
should never fall under the influence of an alliance either. The
most important cause is to preserve a strong Armenian statehood -
both in Arstakh and in Armenia.
- In any case, have any official discussions been held in
Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia? Are any large-scale political and public
discussions being held?
- The public is making different analyses, while at the
official level is somewhat different. Armenia is a sovereign state,
and different discussions are more often at the public level.
- A Karabakh expert voiced an opinion the other day that
an association agreement with the EU is hardly of benefit to
Nagorno-Karabakh. What's your opinion?
- Some people believe that Armenia should initial this agreement,
others do not think it would be right because of other strategic
problems. So we should consider all the opinions, but first of all
our national interests. We should not politicize this agreement. It is
not even clear when Armenia will sign it. In any case, complementary
policy must be a law for us.
- You speak of comlementarity, but our foreign policy has been
defined as "initiative".
- You know that it was Vartan Oskanian [ex-FM of Armenia] that
put the concept of complementarity into use. But he did not consider
the most important factor that is the basis of compelmentarity,
namely, the Armenian Diaspora. This is the most important factor
for us. Of course, specific geopolitical factors play their role,
but our national interests are the most important. The Diaspora is
one of the fundaments of our statehood
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/07/23/davit-babayan1/ .