The biweekly held an interview with Secretary of Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), member of Armenian delegation to PACE Aram Safaryan.

“Referring to the recognition of Kosovo’s independence, what steps should be made to launch recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh and whether we will benefit from it?

“I think it is early for Armenia to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh. Recognition is conditioned by expediency. We are conducting talks within the OSCE Minsk Group and if we unilaterally recognize Karabakh, what is negotiated then? The negotiations may be doomed to failure. The recent proposals by Minsk Group, the Foreign Ministers’ statements in Almaty distinctly indicate the positions of Armenia and OSCE are identical. Over the recent 16 years Armenian has not had such a successful document as a foundation of negotiations. Now Azerbaijan must say yes or no. 

If Azerbaijan says yes, it will accept these foundations are a matter of discussions, but it conflicts with their national vision, according to which they must return Nagorno-Karabakh or at least to give Karabakh autonomy, the refugees should return to their homes and Armenian troops should be withdrawn from all the territories. In case Azerbaijan says no, how it will substantiate this “no”.  Today our policy does not counter us with the world powers-Russia, U.S. and EU. If this course is underway, the answers to all the questions to be explained and thought in mind, will be expected from Azerbaijan,” Safaryan said.