ARFD official: Hungary must recognize Artsakh to restore ties with Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - To restore diplomatic ties with Armenia, Hungary must recognize the independence of Artsakh, according to ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s Armenian Cause Political Affairs Office Director.

“The issue isn’t an easy one to resolve,” Kiro Manoyan told a news conference in Yerevan, commenting on a diplomatic note Hungary sent to Armenia’s Foreign Ministry.

“I don’t quite understand Foreign Ministry’s remark of “expecting specific steps from Hungary.” I believe the specific steps must be adequate to what’s been done and relate to Artsakh,” he noted.

As Manoyan said, Safarov case has undermined the Karabakh settlement talks. “Hungary is now to blame for increased instability, so it’s up to Hungary to repair the situation.”

Manoyan believes international pressure as well as discontent of the country’s opposition have forced Hungary to issue the note.

On September 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary addressed a diplomatic note to Armenia’s Foreign Ministry, proposing to restore diplomatic ties.

“The diplomatic note expresses the interest of the Government of Hungary to end the unilateral suspension of diplomatic relations by the Republic of Armenia without preconditions,” the note said.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia the assurances of its high consideration,” Hungarian government’s official website quoted the note as saying.

The diplomatic note is a formal reply to August 31 statement, where Armenia informed Hungary of suspending diplomatic relations.