Karabakh actual issue in political discussions

PanARMENIAN.Net - Meanwhile, founder of the party Raffi Hovannisian said that the three Armenian presidents are guilty of the March 1, 2008 tragedy which resulted in the death of 10 people. According to him, to carry out an unbiased investigation, the three Armenian presidents – Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Robert Kocharian and incumbent Serzh Sargsyan, should be summoned to provide testimony. As for the Karabakh conflict settlement and Armenian-Turkish normalization, Hovannisian believes that Heritage party is on the only right path. “In case of NKR, it is recognition of its independence; as for the Armenian-Turkish normalization, it is the Armenian Genocide international recognition. Only in this case progress can be achieved,” Hovannisian stated, adding that development of democracy and protection of human rights will strengthen national security.

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Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire for 200 times. Retaliatory measures were taken.

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Foreign Minister of the Artsakh Republic Georgy Petrosian met with students and lecturers from a number of Belgian universities. At the guests' request, the Minister answered numerous questions related to the pre-history of the Karabakh conflict and the current settlement process, NKR post-war rehabilitation and democratic development of the republic. "Nagorno Karabakh must be independent. This is a historical issue. We won the war imposed on us, so, surely, we have the right to build our independent future,” he noted. Commenting on official Baku’s destructive position, the NKR Foreign Minister emphasized, "We speak of human rights while Azerbaijan speaks of territories. This is why official Baku rejects any contacts with Nagorno Karabakh. Moreover, Azerbaijani leadership doesn’t stop threatening war.” For their part, the Belgian delegation members pointed out to NKR achievements in building a civil society and economy.

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President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan received newly-appointed commanders of several military divisions and units of the republic’s Defense Army. The commander-in-chief of the armed forces congratulated the attendees and wished them peaceful and efficient service. The President noted that the defense army is the guarantor of the country’s independence and security and added that everything possible would be done for raising its efficiency.

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Member of Republican Party of Armenia parliamentary group Mkrtich Minasyan said that NKR should become a full-fledged party to the negotiations. "Nagorno Karabakh has never been a part of Azerbaijan," Minasyan said. According to him, Baku should recognize NKR's independence and then speak about some mutual concessions. "I do not see any other solution to the problem. As for bellicose statements of Ilham Aliyev, they are intended for both Azerbaijani public and international community. Aliyev's clan will not resume the war, as petrodollars are a great pleasure. As for violations of the ceasefire, it’s also a show for the international community. Armenia should be ready for hostilities. But if Baku resumes the war, it will suffer both human and territorial losses,” he said.

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Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s latest statement that his country will never agree to granting any status to Nagorno Karabakh proves that his ignorance in boundless, said Eduard Sharmazanov, Secretary of the Republican Party of Armenia. “I would like to remind this “sultan” that the right of nations to self-determination means that the people of Artsakh will decide their fate by themselves,” said. “If someone can deal with national issues instead of Aliyev, it doesn’t mean that he and his clan can decide for the people of Karabakh, who chose independence 20 years ago.”

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Head of the Armenian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Aram Safaryan said that a resolution on responsibility of the member countries for ensuring global energy security was adopted during a sitting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Oslo on July 6-10. All suggestions of the Armenian side were included in the resolution, in contrast to those made by the Azerbaijani delegation. "The Azerbaijani propaganda is aimed at forcing Armenia to toughen its stance on the Karabakh conflict settlement, what will serve as a reason for Azerbaijan to reject the Madrid Principles. In other words, currently a game of nerves is under way in the Karabakh process," Safaryan said.

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From the economic and political viewpoint, Armenia is incapable to suppress the Azerbaijani-Turkish tandem, according to Modus Vivendi Center head Ara Papian. “To drive a wedge between these countries, Armenia should consolidate legal resources. The West comprehends that Islamic Turkey is getting more and more dangerous for the United States and Europe. So, major powers are not interested in weakening Armenia,” he said. “I don’t think that tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan can lead to war but we will face serious changes in the Middle East during the next 10-15 years.”

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Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov’s statements about alleged ‘discussion of transfer of Lachin and Kelbajar to the administrative control of Azerbaijan’ are deliberate lies, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated. “Armenia has never discussed the issue. It was not a topic during St. Petersburg presidential talks either,” he said.

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Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander in Yerevan. The Armenian leader noted that Armenia is interested in boosting cooperation with the U.S, what proceeds from Armenia's interests, as well as contributes to strengthening of regional stability and security. For her part, the U.S. official expressed gratitude to Armenia for participation in international peacekeeping operations. The parties also discussed regional security, including the current stage of the Karabakh conflict settlement. They also stressed the importance of strengthening the Armenian-American cooperation in the field of defense and security.