«STANDARDS FIRST, THEN STATUS» FORMULA ACCEPTABLE FOR KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net - Deputy Foreign Minister of Nagorno Karabakh Masis Mailyan the other day participated in Conflicts in the South Caucasus: Security Issues and Developments seminar in Tbilisi, reported the Press Service of the NKR MFA. In his speech the NK representative noted the need to proceed from the available reality and put up with the idea that two separate states - Azerbaijan and NK were formed in the territory of the former Azeri SSR in the course of the collapse of the USSR. The matter should concern not subordination, but peaceful coexistence of two state formations, which would secure regional stability and development. Masis Mailyan noted that experts, who are familiar with South Caucasian conflicts, underscore that taking into account democratic processes in Nagorno Karabakh, it is more than ready to be at least recognized an equal party at the talks. Speaking of the significance of the Tbilisi seminar, M. Mailyan specially emphasized the «standards first, then status» formula worked out by Americans before the settlement of the situation in Kosovo, which says «a formation, which complies with state standards, can be recognized as subject of international law…» Such a formula fits the goals of Nagorno Karabakh, as during the years of its existence the NKR tried to form a legal framework and society complying with international standards. «In this respect we can hope for certain prospects,» Masis Mailyan summed up.