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EX-ENVOY REGRETS DIPLOMATS IN ARMENIA CAN'T VISIT ARTSAKH (VIDEO)
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/171456/
October 18, 2013 - 13:53 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Former German ambassador to Armenia, Hans-Jochen
Schmidt, regrets that the diplomats accredited to Armenia have no
right to visit Nagorno Karabakh.
"It's a sad fact but now I am happy to be here," Mr. Schmidt told the
Artsakh television on the sidelines of an international conference
held in Stepanakert.
According to him, to assess the situation, it's essential to do it
on-site. "It's a matter of security. And if there is an election
being held, you had better be here to see the real picture," he
said. "Even the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs do not visit the region
frequently enough."
As to the EU activity, Mr. Schmidt said the organization has its
priorities in relations with the countries of the region. "They do
not talk about it publicly, but no one denies this fact on an informal
level," he said.
However, he said, the armament race is the most troubling factor.
"Unfortunately, Azerbaijan has wider possibilities and it's
inadmissible that the international community did not show a strong
reaction to its $1bn defense contract with Israel. The purchase of
weaponry from Russia is also alarming. It will not contribute to the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict," Mr. Schmidt said.
Addressing the conference on Artsakh national liberation war,
he reminded that in 1920s Armenians made 90% of the population of
Nagorno Karabakh, however, as a result of the soviet rule, it was
reduced to 72%.
The German diplomat also emphasized that Baku uses the refugees as
a tool of pressure and prevents their integration into the society.
The conference brought together participants from Artsakh, Armenia,
Russia, France, Germany, UK, Austria, Belgium, Greece and other
countries.
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/171456/
October 18, 2013 - 13:53 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Former German ambassador to Armenia, Hans-Jochen
Schmidt, regrets that the diplomats accredited to Armenia have no
right to visit Nagorno Karabakh.
"It's a sad fact but now I am happy to be here," Mr. Schmidt told the
Artsakh television on the sidelines of an international conference
held in Stepanakert.
According to him, to assess the situation, it's essential to do it
on-site. "It's a matter of security. And if there is an election
being held, you had better be here to see the real picture," he
said. "Even the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs do not visit the region
frequently enough."
As to the EU activity, Mr. Schmidt said the organization has its
priorities in relations with the countries of the region. "They do
not talk about it publicly, but no one denies this fact on an informal
level," he said.
However, he said, the armament race is the most troubling factor.
"Unfortunately, Azerbaijan has wider possibilities and it's
inadmissible that the international community did not show a strong
reaction to its $1bn defense contract with Israel. The purchase of
weaponry from Russia is also alarming. It will not contribute to the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict," Mr. Schmidt said.
Addressing the conference on Artsakh national liberation war,
he reminded that in 1920s Armenians made 90% of the population of
Nagorno Karabakh, however, as a result of the soviet rule, it was
reduced to 72%.
The German diplomat also emphasized that Baku uses the refugees as
a tool of pressure and prevents their integration into the society.
The conference brought together participants from Artsakh, Armenia,
Russia, France, Germany, UK, Austria, Belgium, Greece and other
countries.
From: Baghdasarian