Armenian News-NEWS.am interviewed Foreign Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Karen Mirzoyan

How would you assess 2014 for the foreign policy of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic? What were the achievements and shortcomings?

Priority direction of Nagorno Karabakh’s foreign policy in 2014, as in previous years, was the process of international recognition of the NKR. In this context, the year was very productive: positive trends registered over the years continued last year. California adopted the resolution supporting Nagorno-Karabakh people's right to self-determination, thus becoming the fifth state after Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine and Louisiana to support the independence of the NKR. Earlier in 2012 similar resolution was adopted by the legislative body of Australia's largest state – New South Wales.

The process of international recognition of the NKR last year also covered the European continent. A Motion about the right to self determination of Nagorno Karabakh was adopted in the Parliament of the Basque Country (Spain). President of the province of Gipuzkoa of the Basque Country spoke about the NKR recognition as an independent state.

In autumn, the Board of Spokespersons of the Parliament of Navarre - Autonomous Region of Spain - made an official statement expressing confidence that the authorities of Nagorno Karabakh should be a necessary part of any forum in which the country's future is decided.

The framework of decentralized cooperation between the communities of Artsakh and different foreign countries has expanded significantly.Last year friendship declarations were signed between three French cities  of Vienne, Bourg-les-Valence, Bouc-Bel-Air and the Karabakh towns of Hadrut, Shushi and Askeran. Similar declarations on the establishment of friendship relations with Karvachar and Hadrut were signed with the American cities of Pico Rivera and Burbank. An agreement on cooperation between Stepanakert and Donostia (Basque Country) was signed.

In addition to the parliamentary friendship group with Artsakh in the Lithuanian Seimas and France-Karabakh Friendship Circle, consisting of senators, members of parliament and political figures, the European Parliament began the process of formation of Friendship Group with Artsakh, which will get clear shape this year.

The peaceful settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh is on the agenda. Unfortunately, we have to state that in 2014, because of the destructive policy pursued by the Azerbaijani authorities, the attempts to achieve real progress on this issue failed. As you know, last May marked 20th anniversary of the ceasefire in the Azerbaijani -Karabakh conflict zone signed by the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia. The anniversary was a good opportunity to confirm the commitment of parties to resolution by exclusively peaceful means. In this connection, the NKR authorities reiterated their proposals to reduce tensions and promote stability and predictability in the Line of Contact between the armed forces of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. However, Azerbaijan has not only refused these proposals, despite the mediators’ support of them and the calls of the international community, but also went on an unprecedented escalation in the conflict zone. The point is a number of acts of sabotage and attempts to penetrate into the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which took place in summer, and the downing the helicopter of the NKR Defense Army. By these actions Azerbaijan only further complicated the prospects for a final settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and threw back the settlement process.

Do you plan opening of new permanent representations abroad? How many representations does NKR have in foreign states so far?

The NKR has permanent representations in Armenia, Germany, Australia, Lebanon and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries – Russia, France and U.S.

Our representatives are pursuing activities aimed at representing and protecting the interests of Artsakh in their country of residence as well as spreading unbiased, reliable information about our country.

The priority of the NKR permanent representatives abroad, of course, is to contribute to the expansion of the international recognition of Artsakh. Among the priority tasks is to attract investment in the economy.

The opening of the NKR permanent representations is not an end in itself. First of all, we consider the possibility of implementing steps aimed at improving the efficiency of existing missions, however, we do not rule out the possibility of opening new offices in the near future.

Do you think Armenia and Diaspora are taking sufficient efforts for the international recognition of the NKR?

The issue of NKR's international recognition is among the tasks of a key significance for all Armenians residing around the world. I am confident that recognition of NKR's state-building achievements in the international arena is impossible without joint and consistent efforts of all Armenians regardless of their location.

Can we talk about full compliance in the positions of Yerevan and Stepanakert on Karabakh settlement?

Both the NKR and Armenia share the same vision of a model for the settlement of Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict. At the same time this does not rule out the possibility of reaching the goal by different methods.

Do you think full membership of NKR in talks is possible in the near future? Can the talks be successful without NKR?

It’s obvious that a real progress in talks can be reached only by taking into account the existing realities and a full-fledged format of negotiations with immediate and direct participation of Karabakh at all its stages. I want to underscore that by speaking about NKR's full participation in talks, we proceed from the interests of the peace process. Absence of one of the parties, namely NKR, at negotiating table, makes it problematic to reach the final settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh. We are convinced that restoration of Karabakh's participation in talks is in the interest of all parties. The only obstacle on the matter is destructive position of official Baku and latter's unwillingness to recognize the existing realities.

What is the situation in the NKR with Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan?

Refugees began to appear in the region along with the escalation of the conflict as a result of the attempts of Azerbaijan to forcibly suppress the right of Nagorno Karabakh people to self-determination. In 1988-90s over 120 thousand Armenian refugees came from Azerbaijan to Nagorno-Karabakh, 30,000 out of them settled in the NKR and live here up to now.

This group of refugees is one of the most vulnerable groups in the region, since they are deprived of international protection and support because of destructive position of Azerbaijani authorities who are impeding the visits of relevant organizations, in particular representatives of the United Nations Refugee Agency. By blocking the humanitarian access to the refugees by international organizations' experts, the Azerbaijani authorities continue violating fundamental rights of this group.

Without financial and moral support, being in a blockade, the NKR government is forced to solve the problem within its limited financial capacity. At the same time Nagorno-Karabakh, unlike Azerbaijan, is not politicizing the humanitarian problem and is not turning it into a bargaining chip by keeping them in the camps and receiving great amounts from international agencies.

Could you name the priorities for 2015?

 

The priority directions in Nagorno-Karabakh's foreign policy in 2015 are settlement of Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and international recognition of NKR.