Circumstances against Armenia in Karabakh issue, RA ex-Foreign Minister says

PanARMENIAN.Net - The process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement can be divided in four stages: 1991-1994, 1994-1998 and 1998-up to present day, Armenia's former Foreign Minister said.



"There are four basic factors which influence on resolution of all conflicts. These are the trends of international development, regional interests of world powers, internal political situation in the conflicting countries and diplomatic potential of the sides," Vartan Oskanian told a conference dedicated to 20th anniversary of the Karabakh movement.



Assessing the first stage, Mr Oskanian remarked that immediately after the USSR decline the international principles worked against Armenia. "Recognizing appearance of new states, the international community did not allow parts of these states go exercise their right to self-determination, fearing of domino effect. The interests of world powers were not clearly outlined; the situation in the conflicting countries was shaky. The international community attempted to resolve the conflict through total dissemination of democratic principles and engagement of the conflicting sides in national projects. However, all this led to a lingering war. In 1994-98 the international community started questioning its approaches to conflicts. The accents were changed, giving way to professional diplomacy. Conflicting counties recovered and world powers came to form their interests in the region," he said.



With the shift of power in Armenia 1998, international tendencies have changed. Thanks to matured diplomacy, a document clearly mentioning of the right of Karabakhi people to self-determination was developed. Ten years after, the circumstances are against Armenians. After recognition of Kosovo, the international opinion tends to oppose the right to self-determination. Announcements that Kosovo should never become a precedent will be an obstacle in our way. Besides, confrontation between Russia and the U.S. will have a negative impact on our region. Furthermore, the current domestic situation in Armenia has never been so shaky for past 20 years. The forth factor, diplomacy, acquires huge importance under the circumstances. The new President and Foreign Minister have already announced that the previous policy will be continued. However, I do not see exact accents. I think that the document at the table is the best and I am hopeful Azerbaijan won't reject it," Mr Oskanian resumed, KarabakhOpen reports.
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