Recently, a group of prominent representative of civil society of Armenia and Azerbaijan called on all sides of civic societies of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, all political and social forces to become active participants of the peaceful process, begin the search for necessary compromises, give up the maximalist requirements and assume their share of responsibility for the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
The document fixes several remarkable notes. “We support the initiative of the co-chair, Ambassador James Warlick, which is outlined in the May 7, 2014 “Nagorno-Karabakh. The Keys to Settlement” report, as well as the May 12, 2014 Minsk Group co-chairs’ statement. The results of the attempts and the work of the long-term talks of OSCE Minsk Group past and present co-chairs, as well as the sides of the conflict are covered in this balanced approach. We believe that the three principles and the mentioned six elements present the OSCE Minsk Group peace agreement on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and the viable grounds of the “road map”.”
In the conversation with Aravot.am, referring to this initiative, the expert for the Center of “Political and International Studies”, Ruben Mehrabyan, said that he considers this joint call very important. He considers this a long-awaited event, as the steps to each other made by civil societies of Armenia and Azerbaijan are considered also as a must.
“More than 20 years elapsed, but there is no progress in the peace process, which affects the future of both Armenia and Azerbaijan and the region. This was a very welcomed move that will be an extra pressure on Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s authorities to pass from words into actions, for taking up actual conflict settlements,” said our interlocutor, considering all the provisions of the document essential, which refer to mutual trust, withdrawal of snipers from the Contact line, starting a joint work on the Great contract, and passing to specific actions based on the six elements suggested by the American co-chair, and later approved by the Minsk Group.
Read also
“I consider the process commenced by the civil society positive, I think that it should be continued and expanded. I, personally, fully and unreservedly support this statement. I call on civil societies of Armenia and Azerbaijan to actively participate in this process,” said Ruben Mehrabyan, adding that the attacks passing beyond all the limits of decency commenced in the Azerbaijani government media, the statement signed against Eldar Namazov and other people, the disgraceful state-of-affairs associated with human rights in Azerbaijan, repressions with “Armenian prehistory”, when those who oppose the regime are accused in collaborating with Armenians, this was a very brave step by our Azerbaijani partners.
Ruben Mehrabyan believes that this call is addressed also to the Azerbaijani authorities to come out of their non-constructive ideas and deal with the activities bringing success and peace to Armenia, Azerbaijan and the region. “In case of enforcement of this document, Russia’s aspiration to have monopoly positions in the Karabakh peace process will also be nulled. Also, Armenia-Azerbaijan talks are also important, only not for the monopoly of the highest authorities of the two countries. The civil societies should also take on commitments in all of this,” said Ruben Mehrabyan.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
