Yerevan can't act for Stepanakert in Karabakh talks
The Azeri side has taken a tough position of bellicose statements which leave no chance for efficient talks, Armen Rustamian, member of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Supreme Body told Nezavisimaya Gazeta.
Baku's promises to grant Karabakh the status of highest autonomy mean nothing, according to Mr Rustamian. He reminded that Nakhichevan also had this status with 30% of Armenian population. "Now you will not find an Armenian there. It's worth mentioning that the Karabakh conflict emerged over the status, that is to say, status and security are the core of the conflict. It's wrong to speak of full-scale talks at present, for Nagorno Karabakh doesn't take part in them. History knows no precedent when a conflicting side wasn't engaged in the negotiation process. Yerevan can't act for Stepanakert. It can only represent NKR interests and stand a guarantor of people's right to self-determination. Karabakh should hold talks on the issues of status, territories and refugees," Mr Rustamian underscored.
Baku's promises to grant Karabakh the status of highest autonomy mean nothing, according to Mr Rustamian. He reminded that Nakhichevan also had this status with 30% of Armenian population. "Now you will not find an Armenian there. It's worth mentioning that the Karabakh conflict emerged over the status, that is to say, status and security are the core of the conflict. It's wrong to speak of full-scale talks at present, for Nagorno Karabakh doesn't take part in them. History knows no precedent when a conflicting side wasn't engaged in the negotiation process. Yerevan can't act for Stepanakert. It can only represent NKR interests and stand a guarantor of people's right to self-determination. Karabakh should hold talks on the issues of status, territories and refugees," Mr Rustamian underscored.
