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NKR MFA: Armenian refugees in Karabakh deprived of international support
20:01, 09.01.2015
Armenian News-NEWS.am interviewed Foreign Minister of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Karen Mirzoyan
How would you assess 2014 for the foreign policy of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic? What were the achievements and
shortcomings?
Priority direction of Nagorno Karabakh's foreign policy in 2014, as in
previous years, was the process of international recognition of the
NKR. In this context, the year was very productive: positive trends
registered over the years continued last year. California adopted the
resolution supporting Nagorno-Karabakh people's right to
self-determination, thus becoming the fifth state after Rhode Island,
Massachusetts, Maine and Louisiana to support the independence of the
NKR. Earlier in 2012 similar resolution was adopted by the legislative
body of Australia's largest state - New South Wales.
The process of international recognition of the NKR last year also
covered the European continent. A Motion about the right to self
determination of Nagorno Karabakh was adopted in the Parliament of the
Basque Country (Spain). President of the province of Gipuzkoa of the
Basque Country spoke about the NKR recognition as an independent
state.
In autumn, the Board of Spokespersons of the Parliament of Navarre -
Autonomous Region of Spain - made an official statement expressing
confidence that the authorities of Nagorno Karabakh should be a
necessary part of any forum in which the country's future is decided.
The framework of decentralized cooperation between the communities of
Artsakh and different foreign countries has expanded
significantly.Last year friendship declarations were signed between
three French cities of Vienne, Bourg-les-Valence, Bouc-Bel-Air and
the Karabakh towns of Hadrut, Shushi and Askeran. Similar declarations
on the establishment of friendship relations with Karvachar and Hadrut
were signed with the American cities of Pico Rivera and Burbank. An
agreement on cooperation between Stepanakert and Donostia (Basque
Country) was signed.
In addition to the parliamentary friendship group with Artsakh in the
Lithuanian Seimas and France-Karabakh Friendship Circle, consisting of
senators, members of parliament and political figures, the European
Parliament began the process of formation of Friendship Group with
Artsakh, which will get clear shape this year.
The peaceful settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno
Karabakh is on the agenda. Unfortunately, we have to state that in
2014, because of the destructive policy pursued by the Azerbaijani
authorities, the attempts to achieve real progress on this issue
failed. As you know, last May marked 20th anniversary of the ceasefire
in the Azerbaijani -Karabakh conflict zone signed by the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic
of Armenia. The anniversary was a good opportunity to confirm the
commitment of parties to resolution by exclusively peaceful means. In
this connection, the NKR authorities reiterated their proposals to
reduce tensions and promote stability and predictability in the Line
of Contact between the armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh and
Azerbaijan. However, Azerbaijan has not only refused these proposals,
despite the mediators' support of them and the calls of the
international community, but also went on an unprecedented escalation
in the conflict zone. The point is a number of acts of sabotage and
attempts to penetrate into the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which
took place in summer, and the downing the helicopter of the NKR
Defense Army. By these actions Azerbaijan only further complicated the
prospects for a final settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict
and threw back the settlement process.
Do you plan opening of new permanent representations abroad? How many
representations does NKR have in foreign states so far?
The NKR has permanent representations in Armenia, Germany, Australia,
Lebanon and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries - Russia, France
and U.S.
Our representatives are pursuing activities aimed at representing and
protecting the interests of Artsakh in their country of residence as
well as spreading unbiased, reliable information about our country.
The priority of the NKR permanent representatives abroad, of course,
is to contribute to the expansion of the international recognition of
Artsakh. Among the priority tasks is to attract investment in the
economy.
The opening of the NKR permanent representations is not an end in
itself. First of all, we consider the possibility of implementing
steps aimed at improving the efficiency of existing missions, however,
we do not rule out the possibility of opening new offices in the near
future.
Do you think Armenia and Diaspora are taking sufficient efforts for
the international recognition of the NKR?
The issue of NKR's international recognition is among the tasks of a
key significance for all Armenians residing around the world. I am
confident that recognition of NKR's state-building achievements in the
international arena is impossible without joint and consistent efforts
of all Armenians regardless of their location.
Can we talk about full compliance in the positions of Yerevan and
Stepanakert on Karabakh settlement?
Both the NKR and Armenia share the same vision of a model for the
settlement of Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict. At the same time this
does not rule out the possibility of reaching the goal by different
methods.
Do you think full membership of NKR in talks is possible in the near
future? Can the talks be successful without NKR?
It's obvious that a real progress in talks can be reached only by
taking into account the existing realities and a full-fledged format
of negotiations with immediate and direct participation of Karabakh at
all its stages. I want to underscore that by speaking about NKR's full
participation in talks, we proceed from the interests of the peace
process. Absence of one of the parties, namely NKR, at negotiating
table, makes it problematic to reach the final settlement of the
conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh. We are convinced
that restoration of Karabakh's participation in talks is in the
interest of all parties. The only obstacle on the matter is
destructive position of official Baku and latter's unwillingness to
recognize the existing realities.
What is the situation in the NKR with Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan?
Refugees began to appear in the region along with the escalation of
the conflict as a result of the attempts of Azerbaijan to forcibly
suppress the right of Nagorno Karabakh people to self-determination.
In 1988-90s over 120 thousand Armenian refugees came from Azerbaijan
to Nagorno-Karabakh, 30,000 out of them settled in the NKR and live
here up to now.
This group of refugees is one of the most vulnerable groups in the
region, since they are deprived of international protection and
support because of destructive position of Azerbaijani authorities who
are impeding the visits of relevant organizations, in particular
representatives of the United Nations Refugee Agency. By blocking the
humanitarian access to the refugees by international organizations'
experts, the Azerbaijani authorities continue violating fundamental
rights of this group.
Without financial and moral support, being in a blockade, the NKR
government is forced to solve the problem within its limited financial
capacity. At the same time Nagorno-Karabakh, unlike Azerbaijan, is not
politicizing the humanitarian problem and is not turning it into a
bargaining chip by keeping them in the camps and receiving great
amounts from international agencies.
Could you name the priorities for 2015?
The priority directions in Nagorno-Karabakh's foreign policy in 2015
are settlement of Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and international
recognition of NKR.
http://news.am/eng/news/245469.html
20:01, 09.01.2015
Armenian News-NEWS.am interviewed Foreign Minister of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Karen Mirzoyan
How would you assess 2014 for the foreign policy of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic? What were the achievements and
shortcomings?
Priority direction of Nagorno Karabakh's foreign policy in 2014, as in
previous years, was the process of international recognition of the
NKR. In this context, the year was very productive: positive trends
registered over the years continued last year. California adopted the
resolution supporting Nagorno-Karabakh people's right to
self-determination, thus becoming the fifth state after Rhode Island,
Massachusetts, Maine and Louisiana to support the independence of the
NKR. Earlier in 2012 similar resolution was adopted by the legislative
body of Australia's largest state - New South Wales.
The process of international recognition of the NKR last year also
covered the European continent. A Motion about the right to self
determination of Nagorno Karabakh was adopted in the Parliament of the
Basque Country (Spain). President of the province of Gipuzkoa of the
Basque Country spoke about the NKR recognition as an independent
state.
In autumn, the Board of Spokespersons of the Parliament of Navarre -
Autonomous Region of Spain - made an official statement expressing
confidence that the authorities of Nagorno Karabakh should be a
necessary part of any forum in which the country's future is decided.
The framework of decentralized cooperation between the communities of
Artsakh and different foreign countries has expanded
significantly.Last year friendship declarations were signed between
three French cities of Vienne, Bourg-les-Valence, Bouc-Bel-Air and
the Karabakh towns of Hadrut, Shushi and Askeran. Similar declarations
on the establishment of friendship relations with Karvachar and Hadrut
were signed with the American cities of Pico Rivera and Burbank. An
agreement on cooperation between Stepanakert and Donostia (Basque
Country) was signed.
In addition to the parliamentary friendship group with Artsakh in the
Lithuanian Seimas and France-Karabakh Friendship Circle, consisting of
senators, members of parliament and political figures, the European
Parliament began the process of formation of Friendship Group with
Artsakh, which will get clear shape this year.
The peaceful settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno
Karabakh is on the agenda. Unfortunately, we have to state that in
2014, because of the destructive policy pursued by the Azerbaijani
authorities, the attempts to achieve real progress on this issue
failed. As you know, last May marked 20th anniversary of the ceasefire
in the Azerbaijani -Karabakh conflict zone signed by the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic
of Armenia. The anniversary was a good opportunity to confirm the
commitment of parties to resolution by exclusively peaceful means. In
this connection, the NKR authorities reiterated their proposals to
reduce tensions and promote stability and predictability in the Line
of Contact between the armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh and
Azerbaijan. However, Azerbaijan has not only refused these proposals,
despite the mediators' support of them and the calls of the
international community, but also went on an unprecedented escalation
in the conflict zone. The point is a number of acts of sabotage and
attempts to penetrate into the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which
took place in summer, and the downing the helicopter of the NKR
Defense Army. By these actions Azerbaijan only further complicated the
prospects for a final settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict
and threw back the settlement process.
Do you plan opening of new permanent representations abroad? How many
representations does NKR have in foreign states so far?
The NKR has permanent representations in Armenia, Germany, Australia,
Lebanon and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries - Russia, France
and U.S.
Our representatives are pursuing activities aimed at representing and
protecting the interests of Artsakh in their country of residence as
well as spreading unbiased, reliable information about our country.
The priority of the NKR permanent representatives abroad, of course,
is to contribute to the expansion of the international recognition of
Artsakh. Among the priority tasks is to attract investment in the
economy.
The opening of the NKR permanent representations is not an end in
itself. First of all, we consider the possibility of implementing
steps aimed at improving the efficiency of existing missions, however,
we do not rule out the possibility of opening new offices in the near
future.
Do you think Armenia and Diaspora are taking sufficient efforts for
the international recognition of the NKR?
The issue of NKR's international recognition is among the tasks of a
key significance for all Armenians residing around the world. I am
confident that recognition of NKR's state-building achievements in the
international arena is impossible without joint and consistent efforts
of all Armenians regardless of their location.
Can we talk about full compliance in the positions of Yerevan and
Stepanakert on Karabakh settlement?
Both the NKR and Armenia share the same vision of a model for the
settlement of Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict. At the same time this
does not rule out the possibility of reaching the goal by different
methods.
Do you think full membership of NKR in talks is possible in the near
future? Can the talks be successful without NKR?
It's obvious that a real progress in talks can be reached only by
taking into account the existing realities and a full-fledged format
of negotiations with immediate and direct participation of Karabakh at
all its stages. I want to underscore that by speaking about NKR's full
participation in talks, we proceed from the interests of the peace
process. Absence of one of the parties, namely NKR, at negotiating
table, makes it problematic to reach the final settlement of the
conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh. We are convinced
that restoration of Karabakh's participation in talks is in the
interest of all parties. The only obstacle on the matter is
destructive position of official Baku and latter's unwillingness to
recognize the existing realities.
What is the situation in the NKR with Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan?
Refugees began to appear in the region along with the escalation of
the conflict as a result of the attempts of Azerbaijan to forcibly
suppress the right of Nagorno Karabakh people to self-determination.
In 1988-90s over 120 thousand Armenian refugees came from Azerbaijan
to Nagorno-Karabakh, 30,000 out of them settled in the NKR and live
here up to now.
This group of refugees is one of the most vulnerable groups in the
region, since they are deprived of international protection and
support because of destructive position of Azerbaijani authorities who
are impeding the visits of relevant organizations, in particular
representatives of the United Nations Refugee Agency. By blocking the
humanitarian access to the refugees by international organizations'
experts, the Azerbaijani authorities continue violating fundamental
rights of this group.
Without financial and moral support, being in a blockade, the NKR
government is forced to solve the problem within its limited financial
capacity. At the same time Nagorno-Karabakh, unlike Azerbaijan, is not
politicizing the humanitarian problem and is not turning it into a
bargaining chip by keeping them in the camps and receiving great
amounts from international agencies.
Could you name the priorities for 2015?
The priority directions in Nagorno-Karabakh's foreign policy in 2015
are settlement of Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and international
recognition of NKR.
http://news.am/eng/news/245469.html