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Stepanakert Ready To Negotiate With Baku - Bako Sahakyan

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  • Stepanakert Ready To Negotiate With Baku - Bako Sahakyan

    STEPANAKERT READY TO NEGOTIATE WITH BAKU - BAKO SAHAKYAN

    Tert.am
    14:19 01.09.11

    Independent Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) has entered its twenties.

    In an interview with Nezavisimaya Gazeta NKR President Bako Sahakyan
    told about the counties' achievements, problems and priorities.

    - Mr. President, what have been the three major achievements of
    Nagorno-Karabakh since it gained independence 20 years ago?

    - I would point out the following three groups of our country's major
    achievements. First, independent statehood and its institutions. All
    the three branches of power have been completely formed and are
    efficiently operating. The NKR has an efficient army, which not
    only guarantees its independence and security, but also serves as a
    stabilizing factor in the region. Our country embarked on the road of
    democratic development, and independent Nagorno-Karabakh does not pose
    any threat to any state -either in the South Caucasus or in the world.

    Secondly, we have been able to cope with the aftermath of the horrible
    war unleashed by Azerbaijan, which actually destroyed our economy.

    Artakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) is now a steadily developing economy with
    high-level domestic stability.

    One more achievement is the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora alliance, which
    is one of the fundamentals of our independent statehood and is of
    paramount political, economic and psychological importance for both
    Artsakh and all Armenians.

    - What are the county's top priority tasks?

    - I have said that our country steadily developing, but, like any
    other state, we have problems to deal with. As some problems are
    resolved, others arise, which process is taking place in all the
    countries. In this context, I would group the tasks facing our
    country into politico-military and socio-economic ones. Among
    the politico-military tasks are the following priorities: first,
    maintaining strategic balance between Artsakh and Azerbaijan. At
    the same time, we are for a peaceful settlement of the conflict
    by means of negotiations and are doing our utmost. International
    recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh is an all-important political issue
    for us. We are well aware the issue is not an easy one and requires
    a lot of time and efforts. However, the Nagorno-Karabakh people
    and leadership are determined to go on struggling for international
    recognition. Constant improvement of our government system, further
    democratic reforms, formation of civil society and legal reforms is an
    important political task as well. In this context, we attach special
    importance to establishing ties with different countries and agencies,
    whose experience is necessary for our development.

    As regards socio-economic tasks, improving living standards -
    especially for socially vulnerable sections of the population - is an
    urgent task. Among them are also improving the demographic situation,
    developing such sectors as economy, energy, mining and processing
    industries, agriculture and tourism. Also, we attach special importance
    to attracting investments. We have created a favorable investment
    environment, and we have rather liberal tax laws and pay special
    attention to legal protection of investors' rights.

    - Unlike Abkhazia and Ossetia, with their independence recognized
    by some states, Nagorno-Karabakh has not yet been recognized. Are
    there any signs that the NKR's sovereignty will be recognized in the
    near future?

    - I have noted that the NKR's international recognition is among our
    priorities. In fact, there are no legal grounds for not recognizing
    our independence. In this aspect, our arguments are unassailable.

    Another matter is geopolitical reasons, conflicting interests and
    so on, which are, to an extent, deterrents to Nagorno-Karabakh's
    recognition. But I think that geopolitics and conflicting interests
    must give way to right and morals. Striking evidence thereof is that,
    over the past three or four years, the process of recognition of
    unrecognized states has entered a new, higher-level stage.

    Nonetheless, precedents are not decisive factors for us in getting
    Nagorno-Karabakh internationally recognized. We will struggle for
    recognition irrespective of whether or not other unrecognized states
    have been recognized. We have all the grounds - historical, legal,
    political and moral.

    - In studying the details of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process,
    one gets the impression that NKR representatives may soon return to
    the negotiating table...

    - Nagorno-Karabakh's involvement in the peace process as a full
    negotiator is the only chance for a comprehensive settlement of the
    conflict. The international mediators, particularly the OSCE Mink
    Group, admit this fact. Stepanakert is ready for direct negotiations
    with Baku as well as for discussing any issues. I think returning to
    the full negotiation format is only a matter of time. The sooner it
    happens the sooner the conflict will be resolved.

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