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    http://artsakhtert.com/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1507:-lthe-role-and-authority-of-self-determining-peoples-should-be-increased-at-the-european-parliamentr&catid=5:politics&Itemid=17

    Thursday, 10 July 2014 10:16

    The delegation of one of the political forces represented at the
    European Parliament - the European Free Alliance (EFA) - has recently
    visited our Republic on the invitation of the Artsakh Democratic
    Party. Using the opportunity of participating in the Party congress,
    the delegation met with the parliamentary political forces and some
    NGOs operating in our Republic.

    Following is our interview with EFA Deputy Chairman Miguel Martinez
    Tommy.

    - Mr. Tommy, you've probably managed to get somewhat acquainted with
    our country for a few days. What are your impressions?

    - First, I'd like to note that I feel myself as in a usual European
    country. The life is quite vivacious in the capital. When you meet
    with the civil society, representatives of which say that democracy
    is developing here with years, new thinking and new approaches are
    emerging, so you conclude that everything is developing here up with
    the times. People are seeking social equality, and this means that the
    desire to protect the achievements prevails here, and most importantly,
    the people honor the price, at which they have achieved all this.

    - In this mid-February, our Parliament Speaker, who is also Chairman
    of the Artsakh Democratic Party, participated as an invitee in the
    12th summit of the European Free Alliance in Spain. During the
    meetings, the establishment of mutual contacts with Artsakh was
    discussed. Interacting with various sections of the society here,
    can you see any concrete ways of cooperation?

    - I see the necessity of such cooperation.

    The NKR was in the focus of attention of Western Europe in 1988-1994.

    After the war, the Karabakh issue dropped out of the Western mass media
    attention. Now it's time to discuss the issue again, already with
    new achievements, in order that Europe have a full idea of today's
    Artsakh and do not judge about it from the image of 80-90s. I think
    that you should lead a more active work in this direction, so that
    the time does not work against you.

    - In early May, a delegation of the European Parliament and Spanish
    Parliament paid a visit to the ArtsakhRepublic. Two MPs represented the
    Basque Country struggling for the right to self-determination. During
    the press conference taken place at the Parliament, it was stressed
    that in today's European human rights run contrary to the national
    states' interests. What do you think about it?

    - Really, it may seem at first sight that the right to
    self-determination runs counter to the interests of the EU
    member-states, but it is just seeming. We in the European Free Alliance
    believe that the right to self-determination is applicable, and it does
    not matter what is the ultimate goal of the right - confederative or
    creating a state on a federal basis, or establishing a higher-degree
    autonomy. This is explained by the fact that the EFA-member Parties are
    seeking different-degree autonomy. We are struggling for the rights
    that are mostly violated. We believe that together we can achieve
    that goal in Europe. We view the EU as a platform to discuss our
    differences peacefully and democratically and to find solutions with
    each other, which will allow each of the self-determination seeking
    nations to achieve the desired degree of self-determination. Your
    situation is different. You have a line of contact withAzerbaijan,
    which a military contact-line. I think you need to have the second,
    wider line of contact, not geographical, but ideological. For example,
    you should have active contacts with Europe in order that you can
    bring your signals to them and they can understand what you want. You
    should establish these contacts to be able to solve your issue.

    - Mr. Tommy, let's take into account that the European Union has
    political interests in the South Caucasus; therefore, to think that
    such interactions can result in a fair settlement of the Karabakh
    conflict would not be real, especially that in our case the matter
    is not any degree of autonomy, but the recognition of an independent
    state.

    - In 1988, when everything was gloomy, people believed here that
    they can become independent or part of Armenia. But, in the then
    situation it was hard to imagine all this.

    You overcame a lot of difficulties in the way of achieving independence
    - you defended your right to self-determination under the danger
    of annihilation. When we compare ourselves to you, we come to the
    conclusion that our struggle is really a minor thing, because we're
    not in a danger of annihilation. Let's imagine Europe 40 years
    ago, especially its foreign policy. Today, we have sufficiently
    moved forward, reaching higher degree of foreign policy, which, of
    course, is still far from being perfect. However, we are faithful
    and optimistic. Some time later, we will have new achievements. I
    want to note that you had a dream, but now you have a mission.

    - During the 4th Congress of the Artsakh Democratic Party, you
    informed the participants about the programs and goals of the European
    Free Alliance, using video materials. There was also a poster in
    the hall entitled
    It also reflected the scheme of New Europe. Is it the European Free
    Alliance's vision of Europe?

    - We not only dream about new Europe, but also take steps promising
    positive changes. Our vision of Europe is not limited to the EU 28
    member-states; we have dozens of languages and cultures, which are
    not represented in the Union. I speak a language, which is a minority
    language - I am an Aragon by origin.

    There are a variety of issues - culture, customs, etc., about of
    which many people are not even aware. This thinking represents a new
    level - it comes from the people who get up every morning and go to
    work, intending to make better and perfect Europe, which is much more
    diverse and interesting and more capable than the "28-member" Europe,
    about which we speak every day. We want to achieve a kind of Europe
    that will work for peoples and nations.

    - There are different commentaries on the last, May elections of
    the European Parliament, in particular, the idea is emphasized that
    radicalism is increasing with years in this structure. What trends
    of development do you see?

    - We met with factions representing the Artsakh Parties, and I
    noted that today's European Parliament had actually become much
    more unpredictable. Why did this happen? The reason is that the
    last elections were not elections to national Parliaments. Many
    were skeptical about the elections and did not participate in them
    properly. That's why the Parties that were more demagoguery about
    the future of Europe occupied more places, as the passivity of
    Europeans allowed that the people with this kind of thinking occupy
    the free area. The European People's Party has lost its authority to
    some extent, but the sequence seems to be preserved - the European
    People's Party, the Social Democrats, etc. The fact is that the votes
    lost by the leading Parties were taken by the left-wing Parties and
    those skeptical about Europe, which have much more radical approach
    to the key issues. I would like to express an important idea in this
    regard - in general, weakening of the social dimension is observed,
    due to the current economic situation in Europe. That's why we got what
    we got. But, people with our thinking try to explain the situation in
    the following way - let's remember our past, particularly the year of
    1929, when Europe was in the economic crisis, when the Nazis came,
    and the national-socialism began to rise, bringing calamity to the
    humanity. Our task is to prevent the repetition of all this in order
    that it cannot bring Europe to ruin.

    - How do you imagine the future of the European self-determining
    peoples?

    - In fact, we have always been supporters of reforms. They should
    be made in the declarations, agreements, and other documents adopted
    by the European Parliament, which will enable all the peoples and
    ethnic minorities having the right to self-determination to deliver
    their voices directly to the European Union. The EU should have a
    common executive body. The European Parliament should be elected
    directly by the people, and besides, it should weaken the power of
    national governments in order that they do not have great authority
    in the decision-making process. Instead, according to our vision,
    the role and authority of self-determining peoples should be increased.

    Ruzan ISHKHANIAN

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