BASQUE PARLIAMENT'S MOTION SUPPORTING NAGORNO-KARABAKH'S SELF-DETERMINATION EVIDENCE OF NEW TENDENCIES - OPINIONS
22:07 * 12.09.14
The adoption of the motion supporting the self-determination of
Nagorno-Karabakh by the Basque Parliament in a sense means that
Basque Country recognizes the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR),
Nagorno-Karabakh Presidential Spokesman David Babayan told Tert.am.
"We have repeatedly stated our intention to expand the geography
of recognition by establishing bilateral relations. We have common
features with the Basques - both psychological and political. And
some of them say their forefathers emigrated from the Armenian
highland. In any case, this motion adopted by the Basque Parliament
is a significant achievement in two aspects: the Artsakh Armenians
get recognition and it is a foreign policy success," he said.
Mr Babayan stressed that different nations have their interests and
it is necessary to make their interests converge and developments
progress in the interests of Armenians.
Asked about the significance of the motion adopted by the Basque
Parliament, Mr Babayan said:
"Of course, it is highly significant, but it is not like 'general
tendency, as we are following it.' This is the result of our unity -
Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian Diaspora - as well as of Artsakh
being a normal state. Otherwise, no one would recognize a terrorist
state. This is evidence we are following the right course. We will
continue our work for other parliaments to recognize [Nagorno-Karabakh]
as well. We think this is a promising platform where we have to work."
Talking to Tert.am member of the Standing Committee on Foreign
Relations Tevan Poghosyan called for realizing the growing appreciation
of the principle of nations' self-determination throughout the world.
"Since people realize their self-determination is more important than
any borders, especially artificially drawn borders. And we can see
now that all the nations struggling for self-determination are trying
to understand one another better and speak of this right," he said.
"Let us remember the ongoing processes in Europe. A few months ago
a referendum was held in Venice, Italy. The Basque Country is aiming
at this - they will try to hold a referendum. This process is under
way in Catalonia as well, in Scotland. In Kosovo it took place. In
the past decade, a number of states were recognized: Timor, Eritrea,
the problem of South Sudan. Montenegro's 'divorce' was very easy,"
Mr Poghosyan said.
In this context he said that the international community should
gradually be made to listen to the idea of the recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh's right to self-determination.
"Armenia's foreign policy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are capable
of doing this work because both California and the Basque Country have
recognized [Nagorno-Karabakh's self-determination] in the past month.
I hope this work will be continued and the recognition process as
well," Mr Poghosyan said.
He is optimistic and hopes that Nagorno-Karabakh will sooner or later
be internationally recognized.
With respect to Armenian political scientists' statements on the
world's double standards as the mediators keep on stating the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict cannot be settled in this "unique" way,
Mr Poghosyan said that such statements were made after the events in
both Timor and Eritrea.
"One thing is to say something, but life has shown that the realization
of the right to self-determination, when people are masters of their
own fate, is gaining strength throughout the world.
And since 1988, Azerbaijan's 'argument' that Armenians once exercised
their right by creating the Republic of Armenia has not been supported
by the international community, considering the realization of the
fact that the territories were artificially made part of Azerbaijan
and have nothing to do with its territorial integrity."
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/09/12/Davit-tevan/
22:07 * 12.09.14
The adoption of the motion supporting the self-determination of
Nagorno-Karabakh by the Basque Parliament in a sense means that
Basque Country recognizes the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR),
Nagorno-Karabakh Presidential Spokesman David Babayan told Tert.am.
"We have repeatedly stated our intention to expand the geography
of recognition by establishing bilateral relations. We have common
features with the Basques - both psychological and political. And
some of them say their forefathers emigrated from the Armenian
highland. In any case, this motion adopted by the Basque Parliament
is a significant achievement in two aspects: the Artsakh Armenians
get recognition and it is a foreign policy success," he said.
Mr Babayan stressed that different nations have their interests and
it is necessary to make their interests converge and developments
progress in the interests of Armenians.
Asked about the significance of the motion adopted by the Basque
Parliament, Mr Babayan said:
"Of course, it is highly significant, but it is not like 'general
tendency, as we are following it.' This is the result of our unity -
Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian Diaspora - as well as of Artsakh
being a normal state. Otherwise, no one would recognize a terrorist
state. This is evidence we are following the right course. We will
continue our work for other parliaments to recognize [Nagorno-Karabakh]
as well. We think this is a promising platform where we have to work."
Talking to Tert.am member of the Standing Committee on Foreign
Relations Tevan Poghosyan called for realizing the growing appreciation
of the principle of nations' self-determination throughout the world.
"Since people realize their self-determination is more important than
any borders, especially artificially drawn borders. And we can see
now that all the nations struggling for self-determination are trying
to understand one another better and speak of this right," he said.
"Let us remember the ongoing processes in Europe. A few months ago
a referendum was held in Venice, Italy. The Basque Country is aiming
at this - they will try to hold a referendum. This process is under
way in Catalonia as well, in Scotland. In Kosovo it took place. In
the past decade, a number of states were recognized: Timor, Eritrea,
the problem of South Sudan. Montenegro's 'divorce' was very easy,"
Mr Poghosyan said.
In this context he said that the international community should
gradually be made to listen to the idea of the recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh's right to self-determination.
"Armenia's foreign policy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are capable
of doing this work because both California and the Basque Country have
recognized [Nagorno-Karabakh's self-determination] in the past month.
I hope this work will be continued and the recognition process as
well," Mr Poghosyan said.
He is optimistic and hopes that Nagorno-Karabakh will sooner or later
be internationally recognized.
With respect to Armenian political scientists' statements on the
world's double standards as the mediators keep on stating the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict cannot be settled in this "unique" way,
Mr Poghosyan said that such statements were made after the events in
both Timor and Eritrea.
"One thing is to say something, but life has shown that the realization
of the right to self-determination, when people are masters of their
own fate, is gaining strength throughout the world.
And since 1988, Azerbaijan's 'argument' that Armenians once exercised
their right by creating the Republic of Armenia has not been supported
by the international community, considering the realization of the
fact that the territories were artificially made part of Azerbaijan
and have nothing to do with its territorial integrity."
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/09/12/Davit-tevan/