The most important part of the interview with Serzh Sargsyan for me was the part about the negotiations over the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict because there were things that I didn’t know, but now I know. This is what Vazgen Manukyan, candidate of Armenia’s opposition Homeland Salvation Movement for Prime Minister, told reporters at Liberty Square today.

“During the first war in Nagorno-Karabakh, all us Armenians understood that we wanted Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to be independent and be united with Armenia in some way. This was the issue being discussed during the negotiations, and it was complicated since Azerbaijan wasn’t agreeing. This is why in Kazan there was an agreement to postpone discussion on the issue for an indefinite period, that is, postpone discussion on the issue of Kelbajar, Lachin and the status of Karabakh. There were solutions back then, but it’s a pity that the Armenian side destroyed the whole process of negotiations,” he said.

Asked if a change in the process of negotiations is possible if he comes to power, Manukyan said it is possible. “The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was composed of two issues, including the return of the territories of Azerbaijan and the issue of self-determination. When Azerbaijan was defeated in the war, it continued the negotiations and solved the issue through war in the end, but the issue remains unresolved since the international community believes that the issue of self-determination of Artsakh still exists. Now Armenia and Artsakh need to set forth the issue of Artsakh’s independence. It’s clear that any government in Armenia must strengthen the country’s borders and raise the issue of Artsakh during discussions with the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.”