Artsakh does not expect progress from Kazan meeting June 9, 2011 - 18:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Head of the Central Information Department of the NKR President’s Office David Babayan said there are not any prerequisites for progress in the Karabakh conflict settlement. Commenting on some experts’ statements about possible considerable progress in negotiations after the June 25 meeting among the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents in Kazan, Babayan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter: “There are not prerequisites for a breakthrough. First, the negotiations format is violated. And if Artsakh, one of the main parties, does not participate in them, what is the logic? How can there be a breakthrough?” He added that a rather strange situation is established, as Artsakh, which does not participate in the negotiations, should fulfill the agreements. According to Babayan, the parties have significant discrepancies and different approaches towards the same principles. He noted that Artsakh and Azerbaijan interpret the nation’s right to self-determination, territorial integrity and other matters in their own way. “I do not see any prerequisites for the progress, especially taking into consideration Azerbaijan’s destructive policy,” said Babayan. He pointed to a statement of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Araz Azimov on Baku’s official stance for the Karabakh issue, according to which Karabakh “should remain within Azerbaijan’s composition.” “It is unrealistic. Besides, it is a display of disrespect towards the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ efforts, since this philosophy cannot lead to a positive result,” said Babayan. 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. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |