Stepanakert's joining talks is an issue of fundamental importance

PanARMENIAN.Net - Joining the settlement talks is an issue of fundamental importance for the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, said Karlen Avetisyan, NKR permanent representative in Armenia. Absence of NKR in the process transforms the opposition into a territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to him.



"Certainly, Armenia and Azerbaijan have plenty of problems needing discussion. However, we consider that NKR's participation in the talks is essential to raise the issue of national self-determination of the Artsakhi people," he said.



When commenting on the July 19 presidential elections, Mr Avetisyan said the major achievement was the legitimacy of the vote. "It's important that the state is developing a new political culture, when no one protests the outcomes and the defeated contenders congratulate the winner," he noted.



The elections held in Nagorno Karabakh in 2007 appeared the best in the republic's history. Two worthy contenders were struggling for the post, according to him.



The NKR permanent representative said he doesn't not agree with the opinion that the elections were "ideal" and "Karabakh doesn't need Yerevan's assistance in holding elections." "I think the truth should be somewhere in the middle. The elections were held in accord with the law. There were some minor violations but they could not influence on the outcomes," Mr Avetisyan resumed, Novosti Armenia reports.