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March 29
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Progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process depends on the sides’ readiness for a constructive dialogue. Azerbaijan, however, is not ready for that, RA Deputy FM Shavarsh Kocharyan stated in an interview with the Armenian Public TV. Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have done their utmost to follow the way of mutual concessions, he said.

“First, it would be just to demand that Azerbaijan return the occupied territories of Nagorno-Karabakh. The OSCE Minsk Group intends to send a field mission to the area – the Azerbaijan-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh territories - and the Co-Chairs re-affirmed their intention,” Sh. Kocharyan said.

“Secondly, it would be just if both the Armenian sides demanded the return of the territories, which would prove Azerbaijan is not any more trying to clear Nagorno-Karabakh of Armenians. Thirdly, a just demand for recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh has not been made,” the Armenian Deputy FM said.

To save the Azeri authorities’ face, the mediators proposed a “deferred referendum”, with its results to be accepted by all the sides. “Finally, the Armenian President stated recently we are ready to move forward on the basis of three principles: nonuse of force, peoples’ self-determination and territorial integrity,” Sh. Kocharyan said.

What is Azerbaijan saying? Repeated statements on the use of force the Armenian sides are not at all afraid of. Secondly, Azerbaijan has its own interpretation of peoples’ self-determination, viewing Nagorno-Karabakh only as part of Azerbaijan. Thirdly, Azerbaijan accepts the principle of territorial integrity, putting it own interpretation on it. There is no moving forward in this way, Sh. Kocharyan said.

“And if I point out one more fact, namely, Azerbaijan’s repeated attempts to discredit the OSCE Minsk Group and get other agencies to put the issue on their agenda, it is obvious that prospects depend on Azerbaijan’s constructive approach,” Sh. Kocharyan said.  

 

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