Only Artsakh has the right to decide on liberated territories

May 17, 2010 - 16:28 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Chairman of Heritage party board, RA National Aseembly member Armen Martirosyan said that if Turkey manages to become a regional power, it will affect Armenia’s national security.

“Despite frantic efforts, Turkey will hardly succeed in achieving its goal, as there are numerous problems inside the country. Besides, in my opinion, superpowers will prevent Ankara from spreading influence over the region,” Martirosyan stressed.

Commenting on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Baku and his intention to discuss the Karabakh conflict there, he said: “I am against any territorial concessions, as the liberated territories are fixed in the NKR Constitution and only Karabakh has the right to decide on them. Surrender of even one village will have grave consequences.”

Besides, he emphasized the necessity of recognition of the NKR independence by Armenia.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.