“Our position on the development of Artsakh is the same. I have always said that the government that does not feel the breath of the opposition behind it is a failed government and can not ensure development in their country,” said Artur Tovmasyan, Speaker of the Artsakh Parliament, during a meeting with intellectuals from Armenia in the Artsakh parliament. Speaking about the further process of settlement of the Artsakh issue, he stated that the only mandate for the settlement of the issue continues to be the OSCE Minsk Group, which was approved by official Yerevan, Stepanakert, and Baku.
“Despite that, Baku states that the OSCE Minsk Group should retire, but there is a mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group, the activities of the group must be maintained. He says the Artsakh issue is resolved. If you have resolved it, leave the OSCE Minsk Group. This mandate is there, it must be observed. There is silence in Artsakh today, there is no peace, there will be peace when the Artsakh issue gets a political solution. And who should give that solution? Of course, the OSCE Minsk Group. Today we have to offer what the Azerbaijanis have offered since May 12, 1994: return of lands, return of refugees, de-occupation of lands, by the way, we have already accepted by law. We also have one thing – the issue of cultural genocide. The steps that Azerbaijan has taken in Nakhichevan are being taken today in the occupied territories where Armenians do not live,” said Artur Tovmasyan.
Former Prime Minister of Armenia Hrant Bagratyan sees the following way to resolve the Artsakh issue: “There are two players here: Russia and Turkey. We can make different judgments about the Russian state, the Russian Empire, but first we must strengthen relations with Russia, we must understand what Russia wants politically. Second, sooner or later, Russia and Turkey must come into conflict, whether they want to or not. In that case, both will contact us. We must orient ourselves and do what is right for us. Of course, we should not be a troublemaker to fight the Turks and the Russians, but we will have the opportunity, because the political force that will try to limit the influence of the Turks in the region will grow. That’s our problem.”
Read also
Hrant Bagratyan also spoke about the process started by the Armenian government to normalize relations with Turkey. According to him, the promised economic conditions will require concessions, which can lead to a painful reality, up to the loss of statehood. Hrant Bagratyan recalled the seven-hour talks with former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and Prime Minister Mevsut Yilmaz in Dolmabahce on June 16, 1996, as a result of which Turkey provided an air corridor to Armenia.
“Demirel used to say, ‘It is not possible, you have occupied, our Azerbaijani brothers… and even the conversation was very harsh from time to time, but․․․ it happened… We agreed for them to fly through our territory. Such things can happen, but it is very difficult with them. Moreover, they think, touch us, somewhere, we will give the status of a province, you will live, again. I explained to that person, we have our pride, we have writing, we have literature. Fortunately, he was an intellectual, and he understood. Mevsut Yilmaz did that because his mother was Armenian. He told Demirel, I have to open it because my mother is Armenian and I am ashamed of it. Then he had to open Margara. I went and fixed Margaran. He fixed their side, and then Yilmaz called and said it would not open. Yilmaz was charged as a bribe-taker and fired as prime minister.” This air corridor is called B-58.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
In the main photo: Mevsut Yilmaz and Suleyman Demirel
