“Not to take on the role of the pioneer of the copyright to the proposal of replacing the fragile peace with ‘hotheaded solutions’ for the sake of self-affirmation or for some mercantile reasons.”
“I don’t think that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has ever made errors with regard to the solution of the issue of its participation in the negotiation process, which might compel it to take a new initiative now,” Vahram Atanesyan, the chairman of the NKR National Assembly Foreign Relations Commission, said during a conversation with Aravot. We had inquired of Mr. Atanesyan whether the NKR didn’t intend to take new initiatives to solve the issue of its participation in the negotiation process, since it was obvious that invigoration of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process was expected, to which a set of statements made by representatives of international organizations recently testified.
“The position of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) that Stepanakert should participate in negotiations at all stages is well-known. The success of the settlement depends on that, and who is really interested in the resolution of problems should initiate NKR’s equal involvement in negotiations himself. Otherwise, one is under the impression that the current situation is in the interests of both Azerbaijan and the mediators. In that case, let us admit that it is quite hard for the NKR to initiate a ‘breakthrough,’” our interlocutor said. Sabine Freizer, the Director of the Europe Program, International Crisis Group, stated that the OSCE Minsk Group’s mandate had expired, and that new approaches to and formats for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement needed to be found. We inquired whether one could assert that the expert was right, considering that the issue hadn’t come close to a resolution under the auspices of the Minsk Group for 25 years now. The NKR MP replied: “This is not the first time the Director of the Europe Program, International Crisis Group, has made ‘dark predictions.’ It seems that this is another manifestation of interest in the energy sources of the Caspian Sea, to say the least. One thing is clear: Sabine Freizer did not form the OSCE Minsk Group, and she is not to create ‘new formats.’ The temptation that one can find ‘quick solutions’ on a different international platform is very dangerous, fraught with serious shocks for the region and Europe. I would advise the Director of the Europe Program, International Crisis Group, not to take on the role of the pioneer of the copyright to the proposal of replacing the fragile peace with ‘hotheaded solutions’ for the sake of self-affirmation or for some mercantile reasons.” The rather strong statement made by Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, recently that “certainly, the status quo is unacceptable; moreover, it is unacceptable for everyone – first of all, for Azerbaijan, Armenia, and those who live in Nagorno-Karabakh. I am quite sure of that. The status quo means not only failure to solve the issue of the Azeri territories’ return but also Armenia’s economic blockade. That is the reason why there is no need to convince anyone in the unacceptability of maintaining that situation,” was controversial. We inquired of Vahram Atanesyan whether he thought that the Russian Federation’s strong words would be followed by decisive actions, and what the end of it would be. “My perception is that one pays more attention to the Russian Foreign Minister’s statement than it deserves. Sergey Lavrov didn’t say anything new if we take into account the fact that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries’ leaders, including the President of the Russian Federation, have expressed the common conception of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement thrice already. Lavrov
didn’t say more than Putin or Medvedev had. Perhaps the fact that this was at a joint press conference with Mamedyarov is important in terms of perception. But it is high time that we rise above sentimentality, isn’t it?
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“Ceremonial is ceremonial and reality is reality,” was the MP’s reply. As to what changes the Armenian sides would make to their strategy and tactic, and what new priorities they would put forward, according to our interlocutor, “if one manages to engage different powers in the resolution of the problem, to counterbalance Azerbaijan’s aspirations, it is success already.” He thinks that it is the case. “Certainly, one should discuss the issue of additional initiatives. However, one shouldn’t talk about that ahead of time.”
NELLY GRIGORYAN
Aravot Daily
