“The Artsakh issue can be discussed when Artsakh is included in the negotiations process. The Armenian authorities have begun to emphasize that Artsakh needs to return to the negotiations table. It will be a long process, but there is no need to get upset about that. This issue has been around for 101 years- it may take 101 more years for it to be resolved,” said Director of the International Center for Human Development Tevan Poghosyan. According to him, Armenians must always be prepared to quicken the pace of economic development and making the country more powerful because when Azerbaijan sees the opportunity, it will make the situation more tense, especially since it has resolved to end the conflict militarily.
Regarding the statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia that Georgia respects the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, therefore it does not recognize the local elections that were held in Artsakh, Poghosyan said, “Regardless of whether or not Georgia recognizes the elections that were held in Artsakh, Artsakh has decided to go on the path of democracy. Elections are the foundation for forming authorities and for organizing life within the country. And this is where the second problem comes in: Armenia and its institutes need to present the elections to the world in such a way that they understand democracy is not simply a saying. Authorities are also chosen on behalf of the people through elections. Therefore, Artsakh must be included in negotiations. So, there is no need to despair. We must prepare ourselves, calculate everything correctly, take into consideration all scenarios, and have a strong vision.”
Gohar Hakobyan
