The Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to self-determination and security guarantees are the focal points of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process within the OSCE Minsk Group. Unless these two issues are resolved, the other aspects of the conflict cannot be discussed, RA Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan stated in Parliament.

The Madrid Principles contain three fundamental international principles of settlement: peoples’ right to self-determination, territorial integrity and non-use of force.

“However, the key issue is the Karabakh people’s right to self-determination,” Kocharyan stressed. As regards possible return of territories controlled by the Armenian side, he said: “If Azerbaijan has any territorial claims to Armenian side, the latter, in turn, demands that Azerbaijan stop its occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh territories. Stepanakert and Baku should resolve these issues at the negotiating table.” Sh. Kocharyan pointed out the issue of Stepanakert’s participation in the talks is on the OSCE MG agenda. He also said Azerbaijan should not address its territorial claims to Armenia. It is up to Stepanakert to settle the issue, as the conflict actually broke out between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh. “Armenia cannot and has no right to return any territories. Moreover the issue is not being discussed now,” Sh. Kocharyan said. According to him, Nagorno-Karabakh’s status quo must remain unchanged.

L.A.