Oskanian: Karabakh Talks Underwent «Drastic Changes» during 10 Years

PanARMENIAN.Net - During the past 10 years the talks over settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict underwent «drastic changes», Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated in Los Angeles. In his words, in case all parties to conflict have political will, «today we can undertake more specific steps to resolve the differences.» The Armenian FM remarked that confirmation of NK people's right and international recognition of that right is a basic principle of the settlement for Armenia. «After the conflict began international developments and processes of self-determination in various parts of the world radically changed the international community's attitude towards the issue in question. We witnessed declaration of independence of East Timor via referendum, signing of an agreement in Sudan, which ended a long-term conflict owing to an agreement over a referendum,» the Armenian FM said. Vartan Oskanian also reminded of the serious discussions of the prospect of holding a referendum on determination of the status of Kosovo.



«Politics and law experts increasingly recognize the opportunity and the actuality of exercising the right for self-determination if certain circumstances are available,» the Armenian FM added. In his words, the NK conflict essence lies in the territorial issue. «When the conflict began, there were no territories controlled by Armenians outside NK. These territories were taken under control of Armenia not only due to the differences over the NK status, but due to Azerbaijan trying to suppress the yearning to self-determination by force,» V. Oskanian summed up.