NAGORNO-KARABAKH TAKES BALANCED STANCE ON ARMENIA'S CUSTOMS UNION MOVE - OFFICIAL
21:06 05.09.13
The Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic takes quite a balanced
approach to Armenia's decision to join the Eurasian Customs Union,
a spokesperson for the country's president has said, considering the
move Yerevan's independent choice.
"I don't think the move poses any harm to the Armenian statehood or
the interests of our people or Artsakh," David Babayan told Tert.am,
adding that the authorities in Karabakh are not seeking any political
motives behind the process.
"Armenia continues implementing its foreign policies, so from that
point of view, I don't think the move directly closes our doors to
cooperation with other countries. This is an option which I think has
been widely discussed, and the decision was made after considering
the pros and cons, so to say," he added.
Asked about pro-Russian or pro-Western circles' reaction to the move,
Babayan said he doesn't admit any such splits in state policies. "I do
not admit such an approach. What does pro-Russian or pro-Western mean?
We are simply obliged to pursue complementary policies. We are a
Diaspora-oriented nation. Unfortunately, many Armenians reside abroad
as a result of the Genocide. Hence, we are obliged to maintain good
relations also with the countries which have a big Armenian Diaspora.
We cannot, for example, have negative relations with the United State.
Neither can we with Russia which has the biggest Armenian Diaspora."
When asked whether Nagorno-Karabakh may join the Customs Union, the
spokesperson called for taking a sober approach to the issue to avoid
heated scenarios. He said Nagorno-Karabakh is an unrecognized country
regardless of possible memberships in any union. Babayan added that
the country has not yet developed mechanisms for developing relations
with unrecognized states.
Armenian News - Tert.am
21:06 05.09.13
The Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic takes quite a balanced
approach to Armenia's decision to join the Eurasian Customs Union,
a spokesperson for the country's president has said, considering the
move Yerevan's independent choice.
"I don't think the move poses any harm to the Armenian statehood or
the interests of our people or Artsakh," David Babayan told Tert.am,
adding that the authorities in Karabakh are not seeking any political
motives behind the process.
"Armenia continues implementing its foreign policies, so from that
point of view, I don't think the move directly closes our doors to
cooperation with other countries. This is an option which I think has
been widely discussed, and the decision was made after considering
the pros and cons, so to say," he added.
Asked about pro-Russian or pro-Western circles' reaction to the move,
Babayan said he doesn't admit any such splits in state policies. "I do
not admit such an approach. What does pro-Russian or pro-Western mean?
We are simply obliged to pursue complementary policies. We are a
Diaspora-oriented nation. Unfortunately, many Armenians reside abroad
as a result of the Genocide. Hence, we are obliged to maintain good
relations also with the countries which have a big Armenian Diaspora.
We cannot, for example, have negative relations with the United State.
Neither can we with Russia which has the biggest Armenian Diaspora."
When asked whether Nagorno-Karabakh may join the Customs Union, the
spokesperson called for taking a sober approach to the issue to avoid
heated scenarios. He said Nagorno-Karabakh is an unrecognized country
regardless of possible memberships in any union. Babayan added that
the country has not yet developed mechanisms for developing relations
with unrecognized states.
Armenian News - Tert.am