“We couldn’t pretend that all principles of the international law are equal, but one of them is more equal than others.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, noted the aforesaid speaking to Dnevnik daily of Slovenia, and in response to the query: “Is it because of Nagorno-Karabakh that Armenia supported [the] referendum of independence by Crimea?”

“If you mean the UN General Assembly resolution, we are not in favor of prioritising of one principle of international law over others. We couldn’t pretend that all principles of the international law are equal, but one of them is more equal than others. In any case, self-determination is the purpose of the Charter of the United Nations.

“When the [OSCE Minsk Group] Co-Chairs are proposing three principles of the international law - non use of force and threat of force, territorial integrity and self-determination, Azerbaijan is picking up only one principle, that of territorial integrity, ignoring the other two. This approach can not lead to a solution,” the Armenian FM noted.

To the question, “Since annexation of Crimea last year the West and Russia are stuck in new Cold War – how the relationships are now described – Does this new Cold War affect your country? Do you have to choose between the friends?” Nalbandian responded:

“I do not think that problems between Russia and other countries could be in the interest of anybody - Europe, the United States, Russia and other countries. The confrontation is not the best way to find solutions. All problems can be solved through dialogue, negotiations, and that is why we were among the first who welcomed Minsk 1 and Minsk 2 agreements.”

In response to the query, “But you have to choose, actually, among friends. Last year was very unexpectedly that Armenia scrapped the association part of the European Union for joining the Eurasian Economic Union, which is considered as tool of Vladimir Putin to maintain a grip on the countries of former Soviet Union?” the Armenia FM stated:

“Maybe you are not aware, but Armenia before expressed many times its interest to join the Customs Union, Eurasian Union. We made it public through several statements by the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister. Simply Armenia was not invited to be the part of Customs Union. Since it was explained that we have no common border with the Customs Union member-states.

“A Special Working group was created with the participation of the Armenian Government, Eurasian Union Commission representatives, which came to the conclusion that, it is possible to become a member of the Customs Union and then of the Eurasian Union without common borders. After this conclusion, in September 2013 we confirmed our will to join the Union. We adopted the roadmap and started negotiations from the beginning of the last year. We completed negotiations and became a member of the Eurasian Union since January of this year.”

And to the question, “Are you satisfied with first results of...?” Edward Nalbandian replied as follows:

“Only two months have passed. Membership in the Eurasian Union has important strategic significance for Armenia. It enables us to have facilitated access into protected markets of goods, united market of services of Eurasian Union, to attract investments, to have access to resources, to the transport corridors, to have free movement of goods, capital, services and people. I am not an expert in that field, I am not an economist, but the advantages are apparent.”