Highlights of the past week: parliamentary elections in NKR and debates on EP resolution

PanARMENIAN.Net - Parliamentary elections are of key importance for NKR state formation and Karabakh conflict settlement, according to Armenian expert Sergey Minasyan. As he stated at joint news conference with political analyst Yervand Bozoyan, recent statements by international organizations regarding NKR parliamentary elections should be taken calmly. Yervand Bozoyan, in turn, expressed hope for U.S. and EU to reconsider their position on NKR, assigning their observer missions to the next elections in Artsakh.

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The May 23 parliamentary elections in NKR were positively assessed by international observers, who specifically noted efficient organization and compliance to international standards, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated. “Parliamentary elections prove promotion of democracy and rule of law to be of primary importance to the people and officials of Artsakh. Recognition of the inviolable right of Artsakh people to determine their own fate is among key points in OSCE MG offers on Karabakh conflict settlement. Thus, yet another time, Artsakh people proved their will for independence and freedom,” Minister Nalbandian emphasized.

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According to Slovak parliament member Frantisek Miklosko, the NKR parliamentary elections were free, democratic and complied with the EU standards

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Armenian parliamentary delegation testifies NKR elections were held in accordance with principles of freedom and democracy and in conformity with international norms, RPA parliamentary group secretary Eduard Sharmazanov stated. As he told a news conference in Yerevan, NKR parliamentary elections demonstrated the unity of Karabakh people. “Time will come for NKR to be recognized by international community and reunite with Armenia.”

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Meanwhile. the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs drew up a “blacklist” of foreign citizens, who observed the NKR parliamentary elections on May 23, 2010. All of them will be rejected entry visas to Azerbaijan. The list includes five Russian parliamentarians: Igor Chernyshenko, Kirill Cherkasov, Tatyana Volozhinskaya, Maxim Mishenko and Konstantin Zatulin, as well as international observer Galina Ratnikova, public and political activist Victor Sheynis and expert of the Foundation of Strategic Culture Andrey Areshev. French, German, Argentine and other countries citizens are also on the list.

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Secretary of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Hrayr Karapetyan said that the European Parliament’s Resolution on the South Caucasus is a controversial document. The language of the resolution is unclear, according to him. Besides, he noted that though the resolution is non-binding, Armenia should make relevant conclusions from similar resolutions and decisions.

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Member of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun parliamentary group Armen Rustamyan said that Armenia’s insufficient efforts against appointment of Evgeni Kirilov as a rapporteur for the South Caucasus served as first reason for the adoption of Resolution on the South Caucasus by the European Parliament. “I was aware of the Resolution’s text and addressed a letter to the chairman of the socialists’ group in the European Parliament. Due to our efforts, we managed to remove some negative provisions from it. However, we see that the Resolution anyway contains paragraphs, which distort the reality,” Rustamyan said.

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The European Parliament’s draft resolution introduced on January 11, 2010, contained 2 provisions favorable for Armenia and Arstakh, according to Alek Yenigomchyan, leader of Sardarapat movement. “During three months, the Azerbaijani-Turkish tandem succeeded in eliminating these provisions,” Yenigomchyan said. “The draft resolution envisaged granting of an interim status to NKR. It also read that the security area should remain under control of the NKR Defense Army. I think that amendment of the resolution disgraces the Armenian diplomacy. Although the alternations could be conditioned by the international policy, it doesn’t justify our inactivity,” he said, adding that Azerbaijan and Turkey did not fail to take the advantage.

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RA Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Kazinian believes that after RA President’s return from Brussels, European Parliament’s resolution 2216 will be discussed again. “Beside points raising concern, the resolution also contains stipulations supporting Armenia’s interests: peaceful settlement of Karabakh issue and intermediary status for NKR.”

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The Russian-Turkish approximation can make Armenia compromise over Karabakh, according to Arman Melikyan, former NKR Minister of Foreign Affairs. “Russia has always sought for territorial concessions in exchange for recognition of Nagorno Karabakh by Azerbaijan,” Melikyan said. “If we do not want to lose what we have, the domestic situation should be changed first of all. I’m glad that the Armenian authorities demonstrate indifference about the revised Madrid Principles. This proves that the republic can take up a new policy on the issue,” he added.

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Armenian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Shavarsh Kocharyan said that currently Azerbaijan is toughening its stance on Nagorno Karabakh, being guided by all-or-nothing principle. “Recent statements by Turkish officials have also contributed to this,” Kocharyan said. “Taking this into account, Armenia believes that the only acceptable solution is the preservation of the current status-quo. And it makes no sense speaking of any concessions, which will weaken our positions against the background of similar bellicose statements.”

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Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan paid a two-day visit Brussels, where he met with EU President Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, as well as European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Policy Olli Rehn. The President also met with representatives of Armenian organizations of Belgium and Netherlands.

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Armenia’s Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan presented an Ad-hoc Public Report on the Right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in the Republic of Armenia. The report revealed the drawbacks that should be addressed.