NKR President: Karabakh should be party to talks

PanARMENIAN.Net - Nagorno Karabakh should hold talks with Azerbaijan, NKR President said.



"Nagorno Karabakh Republic is the main party to conflict and it has priorities like other foreign states," Bako Sahakian said.



According to NKR Prime Minister Ara Harutyunyan, population density will become the principal goal of the republic's national security doctrine, Vedomosti Russian newspaper reports.



"Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov insists on determination of Karabakh's status within Azerbaijan after 'withdrawal of Armenian troops from the seized territories'. The U.S. Department of State said in April it will not recognize Karabakh's sovereignty," the edition says.



"The intention to secure high population density could be prompted by the rumors that Armenia is ready to cede a part of Karabakh to Azerbaijan," NKR parliament member Gegham Baghdasaryan supposed.



"According to official data, the population of Nagorno Karabakh makes some 150 000, what is ten times less that in neighbor Armenia. The government's goal is to bring this figure up to 500 000 within shortest terms. Birth rate is also going up, with 14 children per 1000. Boost of population can also help recognition of independence, as it was in Kosovo," Ara Harutyunyan said.



Earlier, Armenia's Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said that Karabakh's status will be determined through a referendum.



Meanwhile, deputy chair of the RF Duma international committee Leonid Slutskiy said that Moscow stands for a solution under international mediation.