YEREVAN.- Definition of military aggression has not lost its meaning in the international arena, even if the object of military aggression is unrecognized state, said Armenian Deputy Foreign Ministry Shavarsh Kocharyan.
He noted that the major international documents do not create a conflict between the right to self-determination and territorial integrity. For instance, Article 2 of the UN Charter indicates that the UN member states should not use force or threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state or any other purpose inconsistent with UN goals, the Deputy Minister stressed.
“However, the right of peoples to self-determination is in compliance with the UN goals,” he said.
Other documents of international law indicate the priority of the UN Charter in case of possible contradictions, Kocharyan recalled speaking at a conference titled “New approaches to Karabakh issue”.
Kocharyan said the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 also makes reference to this. The Act indicates that the right to determine internal and external political status at any time and in any form is an integral right of any nation. The Declaration on the Inadmissibility of Intervention and Interference in the Internal Affairs of States says that promotion of the right to self-determination is a right and the obligation of states.
“Thus, Armenia had the right to promote self-determination of Nagorno-Karabakh’s people. It can be considered an obligation for other states as well,” Kocharyan stressed.
Finally, the UN resolution defines aggression as use of armed force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another state.
“However, I want to draw your attention to the fact that the definition of the state in this case is not predetermined by the membership in UN. Consequently, internationally unrecognized states also can become members. Thus, our position in terms of international law is impenetrable. As regards our opponent, they are simply distorting internationally accepted thesis,” the official concluded.
