Vitaly Naumkin: Stepanakert participation in talks necessaryNovember 14, 2007 - 14:15 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Stepanakert participation in the negotiation process is necessary, said Valery Naumkin, Dartmouth Conference Co-chair on Nagorno Karabakh, Director of the Russian Center of Strategic and Political Studies. "I would not like to criticize the Minsk Group. Our format doesn't replace the processes going on within the MG. These two formats are mutually complementary: if the Minsk group functions at the level of state diplomacy, the Dartmouth Conference organizes a dialogue at the level of civil publics. One more thing, Nagorno Karabakh is a party to Dartmouth conference and we suppose that there will be no progress in the talks without Stepanakert's participation. Actually, the opposition is going on between Azerbaijan and Karabakh," the Russian expert said. "Any agreement signed by the state leaders is put into practice by people living in those states and if the diplomats' groundwork doesn't justify people's expectations, it will never be successful." "History knows many cases when agreements remained on paper. Presidential talks are insufficient. Our format aims at a public dialogue," Naumkin said in an interview with Argumenty i Fakty Armenia. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |