According to the spokesperson of the President of Artsakh, Davit Babayan, what Azerbaijan is doing is a one-sided and discriminatory approach, which cannot be used as a basis for the resolution of the conflict.
Aravot Daily asked Davit Babayan about what Azeri Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammedyarov meant when he said that negotiating with Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan is tough after the meeting between OSCE foreign affairs ministers in Bratislava. “Of course, it needs to be tough if Azerbaijan will not cease its anti-Armenian policies. What does he mean when he says that negotiations are ‘tough?’ Or did he expect the Armenian side to surrender? Of course, this can never happen, so it is important that the negotiations process and the peace process continue. But this does not mean that this needs to take place at the expense of our security, dignity, and our state. So, negotiations will continue, but they will be difficult and tough. That is the nature of this issue.”
When asked if Sergey Lavrov’s statement about the possibility of mutual compromises was disregarded, Davit Babayan responded, “There is always a possibility. But that does not mean that it is real because Azerbaijan is not leaving us with any foundation. Of course, Lavrov needs to say that it is possible, and he’s right because we need to aim towards that. If the possibility does not exist, then negotiations will not take place. This is a long and time-consuming process.”
Aravot Daily reminded Davit Babayan about how several experts are worried about how Artsakh has been effectively excluded from the negotiations process. If its leaders once had a unified view on this issue, then it is difficult for such a view to form on the eve of presidential and parliamentary elections. This has made it easier for Azerbaijan to exert pressure. The spokesman said that he does not believe that this is true. “Regardless of everything, the vast majority of politicians and political parties in Artsakh, with the exception of one or two extremists, have unified views. This does not mean that all the parties are united- of course, they are all competitors- but I do not believe that anyone can be convinced to allow Artsakh to lose its independence and security. This is a unified approach that our people and society have had for decades. I do not think that a weak approach will be acceptable for our people and society.”
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Tatev Harutyunyan
“Aravot” daily
