It is a good thing that the declaration approved at the Armenian-Azerbaijani-Russian presidential meeting in Astana on Oct. 27 is a humanitarian one. However, its content is most serious and dangerous for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh from political point of view, as well as in the context of international law, David Shahnazaryan, a member of the Armenian National Congress (ANC), told journalists on Nov 3.

“A document was signed at a presidential level, wherein Armenia admits the fact of its having been and being at war with Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, this fact is difficult to refute. Also, there is no third side. If two countries reach an agreement to exchange POWs, it means they are at war,’ Shahnazaryan said. He pointed out the definition of “POW” in international law, which term applies only to countries at war.

“This is the first time. This ruined any chance of Nagorno-Karabakh returning to the negotiating table. A few months ago the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ statements contained the phrase ‘occupied territories’. After the Astrakhan meeting it is becoming obvious for us which side is the ‘occupant’. The document is a serious achievement for Azerbaijan, and the fact that Azerbaijan and Turkey are still silent does not mean anything. Azerbaijan’s achievement is greater than its previous ones in the international arena,” Shahnazaryan said.