Stepanakert Denies Paris 'Agreement'
Friday, November 7th, 2014
http://asbarez.com/128707/stepanakert-denies-paris-%E2%80%98agreement%E2%80%99/
Speaker of the Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament Ashot Ghulyan
STEPANAKERT--The statements of the French President François Hollande
proposing that the sides put their disagreements on fundamental
principles aside and start drafting a comprehensive agreement, which
were made following the Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meeting in
Paris, are, according to Speaker of the Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament
Ashot Ghulyan, not the French president's own opinion. Rather, it is
another change in Azerbaijan's position, Ghulyan asserts.
"This is one more change in Azerbaijan's position, which is claimed to
be the international community's position rather than Azerbaijan's own
opinion. Ten years ago, it was Azerbaijan that stated it could not
sign or draft a major agreement, calling for agreeing on the
principles. And now they say they cannot formulate the principles and
proposes drafting a major agreement. Azerbaijan is just buying time,
trying to influence the negotiation process. So it is changing its
position time and again," Ghulyan told reporters on Friday.
As to whether the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities are taking steps to get
involved in the negotiations given the fact that Nagorno-Karabakh has
been outside the negotiation process for about 15 years - by stating,
for example, that Armenia cannot any longer represent Nagorno-Karabakh
- Ghulyan believes that such a step needs to be made because in that
case Nagorno-Karabakh might find itself alone at the negotiating
table.
"We are speaking of an entirely different format of negotiations and
opportunities because three parties are involved in the conflict.
Different opinions may be voiced, and, despite being an unrecognized
state, Nagorno-Karabakh can officially state its position: if it is
not involved in the negotiations, it does not see any possibility of a
definitive settlement. This is the strongest signal that
Nagorno-Karabakh must be involved in the negotiations," Ghulyan said.
Nagorno-Karabakh's participation in the negotiations is not to
Azerbaijan's benefit, so Azerbaijan spares no effort to divert the
format.
"All the sides, except for Azerbaijan, are well aware the problem will
not be resolved without Nagorno-Karabakh's participation. This is
evidence of progress. It is the side putting obstacles that must be
identified," Ghulyan said.
Friday, November 7th, 2014
http://asbarez.com/128707/stepanakert-denies-paris-%E2%80%98agreement%E2%80%99/
Speaker of the Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament Ashot Ghulyan
STEPANAKERT--The statements of the French President François Hollande
proposing that the sides put their disagreements on fundamental
principles aside and start drafting a comprehensive agreement, which
were made following the Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meeting in
Paris, are, according to Speaker of the Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament
Ashot Ghulyan, not the French president's own opinion. Rather, it is
another change in Azerbaijan's position, Ghulyan asserts.
"This is one more change in Azerbaijan's position, which is claimed to
be the international community's position rather than Azerbaijan's own
opinion. Ten years ago, it was Azerbaijan that stated it could not
sign or draft a major agreement, calling for agreeing on the
principles. And now they say they cannot formulate the principles and
proposes drafting a major agreement. Azerbaijan is just buying time,
trying to influence the negotiation process. So it is changing its
position time and again," Ghulyan told reporters on Friday.
As to whether the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities are taking steps to get
involved in the negotiations given the fact that Nagorno-Karabakh has
been outside the negotiation process for about 15 years - by stating,
for example, that Armenia cannot any longer represent Nagorno-Karabakh
- Ghulyan believes that such a step needs to be made because in that
case Nagorno-Karabakh might find itself alone at the negotiating
table.
"We are speaking of an entirely different format of negotiations and
opportunities because three parties are involved in the conflict.
Different opinions may be voiced, and, despite being an unrecognized
state, Nagorno-Karabakh can officially state its position: if it is
not involved in the negotiations, it does not see any possibility of a
definitive settlement. This is the strongest signal that
Nagorno-Karabakh must be involved in the negotiations," Ghulyan said.
Nagorno-Karabakh's participation in the negotiations is not to
Azerbaijan's benefit, so Azerbaijan spares no effort to divert the
format.
"All the sides, except for Azerbaijan, are well aware the problem will
not be resolved without Nagorno-Karabakh's participation. This is
evidence of progress. It is the side putting obstacles that must be
identified," Ghulyan said.