Armenia's authorities will not make a step to detriment of Artsakh's
independence - Vardges Baghryan
12:33 * 08.06.14
In an interview with Tert.am, member of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Parliament Vardges Baghryan commented on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem
in the context of the Eurasian Economic Union.
He rules out a customs station between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
On the other hand, he admits it is a hard period for both the states.
Baghryan urges political forces to achieve a consensus on the issue
instead of recriminating.
"I cannot believe that Armenia's authorities could make a step to the
detriment of Artsakh [Nagorno- Karabakh] independence," he said.
As regards the possibility of a customs border between Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh after Armenia joins the Eurasian Customs Union,
Baghryan said:
"It would be absurd to establish a customs station between the two
states because they are one economic area and - which is the most
important thing - one homeland. I personally view Artsakh as part of
Armenia. True, in 1991 we had to declare the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic. But that was a transitional step, and our end is a united
homeland."
In an earlier interview with Tert.am, Director of the REX agency
Modest Kolerov said there is a checkpoint between Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh even now, and a customs stations would change
nothing.
"I do not know to what extent it can be viewed as a checkpoint. I do
not think it is going to be a customs station as imagined by some. It
is not a typical customs station. As far as I know it is only foreign
guests that enter and leave the country through the checkpoint. I have
said I rule out any customs station and foreign representatives on
duty there. I do not think it will change anything in Artsakh-Armenia
relations," Baghryan said.
Armenia is expected to join the Eurasian Economic Union (EaU) before
July 1, but some states are against Armenia joining the EaU with
Nagorno-Karabakh. What the process of settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh is going to be after Armenia joins the EaU.
"In any case, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus can hardly agree to
Nagorno-Karabakh joining the EaU. We did not even hope for that. And
if Artsakh joined the EaU, it would mean the three states recognizing
Nagorno-Karabakh. Unfortunately, it is not so now. We are well aware
of what happened in Astana. With respect to Artsakh, I do not think
anything will change."
Although Azerbaijan us not willing to join the EaU, it is making
demands and the other states are considering its demands. Is it not
risky to join a structure pursuing a pro-Azerbaijan policy?
"Yes, it is a risk. On the other hand, it is clear that economy is
politics. And Azerbaijan is seeking dividends. But we are ready to
continue our struggle. Armenia remains a guarantor of Artsakh's
security, and I do not see any problems between Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh. Given the alarming situation, I do not think
Armenia's authorities will make a step to the detriment of Artsakh's
independence."
Armenian News - Tert.am
independence - Vardges Baghryan
12:33 * 08.06.14
In an interview with Tert.am, member of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Parliament Vardges Baghryan commented on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem
in the context of the Eurasian Economic Union.
He rules out a customs station between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
On the other hand, he admits it is a hard period for both the states.
Baghryan urges political forces to achieve a consensus on the issue
instead of recriminating.
"I cannot believe that Armenia's authorities could make a step to the
detriment of Artsakh [Nagorno- Karabakh] independence," he said.
As regards the possibility of a customs border between Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh after Armenia joins the Eurasian Customs Union,
Baghryan said:
"It would be absurd to establish a customs station between the two
states because they are one economic area and - which is the most
important thing - one homeland. I personally view Artsakh as part of
Armenia. True, in 1991 we had to declare the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic. But that was a transitional step, and our end is a united
homeland."
In an earlier interview with Tert.am, Director of the REX agency
Modest Kolerov said there is a checkpoint between Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh even now, and a customs stations would change
nothing.
"I do not know to what extent it can be viewed as a checkpoint. I do
not think it is going to be a customs station as imagined by some. It
is not a typical customs station. As far as I know it is only foreign
guests that enter and leave the country through the checkpoint. I have
said I rule out any customs station and foreign representatives on
duty there. I do not think it will change anything in Artsakh-Armenia
relations," Baghryan said.
Armenia is expected to join the Eurasian Economic Union (EaU) before
July 1, but some states are against Armenia joining the EaU with
Nagorno-Karabakh. What the process of settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh is going to be after Armenia joins the EaU.
"In any case, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus can hardly agree to
Nagorno-Karabakh joining the EaU. We did not even hope for that. And
if Artsakh joined the EaU, it would mean the three states recognizing
Nagorno-Karabakh. Unfortunately, it is not so now. We are well aware
of what happened in Astana. With respect to Artsakh, I do not think
anything will change."
Although Azerbaijan us not willing to join the EaU, it is making
demands and the other states are considering its demands. Is it not
risky to join a structure pursuing a pro-Azerbaijan policy?
"Yes, it is a risk. On the other hand, it is clear that economy is
politics. And Azerbaijan is seeking dividends. But we are ready to
continue our struggle. Armenia remains a guarantor of Artsakh's
security, and I do not see any problems between Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh. Given the alarming situation, I do not think
Armenia's authorities will make a step to the detriment of Artsakh's
independence."
Armenian News - Tert.am