Democracy in NKR is natural non-opportunistic choice for people of Nagorno KarabakhJune 27, 2008 - 20:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - One can achieve sustainable democratic development only when the country itself determines its course taking into account its own system of values and does not seek for pretexts to be justified in front of the international structures for non-fulfillment of its international and legal commitments, according to Nagorno Karabakh's Foreign Minister. "Without going into details on the alleged violation of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity I would like to note that in contemporary international practice we can observe cases when the country being at war with another state or having numerous conflicts with its neighbors, can at the same time pretend to be one of the best democratic states like Israel, India, etc," Georgy Petrossian said when commenting on adoption of PACE Resolution 1614 "On the functioning of democratic institutions in Azerbaijan" "I wonder whether the presence of political prisoners in the country is a result of violation of territorial integrity. Is the mass media suppressed, are the journalists beat up by the same reason? To all appearance, these questions are rhetorical," he said. "On the whole, Europe's position on keeping balanced attitude towards the Southern Caucasus countries is understandable. At the same time, it arouses bewilderment that maintenance of this approach as presented by Azerbaijan passes along the line of cornerstone priorities of the Council of Europe on which all the European architecture - democracy, supremacy of law are founded." "While democracy in the NKR is a natural non-opportunistic choice for the people of Nagorno Karabakh, which is not appreciated properly by Europe, in Azerbaijan we observe its convulsive imitation. Within this context, we would like to advise the Council of Europe to take the democracy in Azerbaijan and the democratic processes taking place as a whole in the region most seriously and with all responsibility. We are convinced that only democratic Azerbaijan can become that neighbor with whom the Nagorno Karabakh Republic can speak the same language," the Minister said. "The same resolution runs that the PACE takes note of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution of March 14, 2008. Would you express your attitude concerning this fact?" he said. "A day before, Chairman of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers objectively noted that the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakhi conflict is outside of the competence of the Council of Europe, it is dealt with the OSCE Minsk Group. Within this context, it causes regret that the Council of Europe cites the document, which was not supported by the Minsk Group co-chair countries. Fixation of the given formulation in the document of this international organization can only affect the course of the Azerbaijani-Karabakhi conflict settlement and does not promote the creation of positive negotiation climate via dialogue declared by the Council of Europe," Georgy Petrossian resumed, the NKR MFA press office reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |