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KARABAKH IS FREE TO DECIDE ANY INTEGRATION FORMAT BUT HAS TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MOMENT - OFFICIAL
10:54 * 14.02.14
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) is free to decide on any format
of supranational integration; the important thing is the choice of
moment, says an official.
Speaking to Tert.am, a spokesperson for the NKR president, David
Babayan, stressed the importance of focusing on the possible end-result
before choosing the right integration format (whether with the Eurasian
Customs Union or the EU).
"We do, of course, have a right and can do such a thing; the issue is
whether or not we will attain a result. This is the question; hence we
are required to be realistic. Yes, it is within our competence to apply
to unions, but will they accept us? That's the problem. And in order
to maintain our honor and reputation, we must be realistic. I think we
must think much and weigh [the pluses and minuses]; perhaps, a moment
will come that we will be able to apply to different organizations
for membership," he noted.
Babayan said it is still early for Karabakh to speak of membership
in different unions, as the country needs first of all to be
internationally recognized.
As for Armenia's membership in the Russian-led Customs Union and his
country's status thereafter, Babayan said he doesn't understand why
it has become a matter of life and death for many.
"All speak of Armenia's membership in the Customs Union, with some
criticizing and others backing [the deal]; yet very many keep talking,
unaware of what is going on. For us, the most important thing is
not the membership or non-membership in the Customs Union; we have
more important and dangerous challenges. We have Azerbaijan. We must
focus our big efforts on restraining such a neighbor; we must always
be strong to prevent Azerbaijan from losing balance and taking any
action. That's the most important thing," he added.
Babayan said it is strange for him to see different EU member
states criticize Armenia for the decision to join the Customs Union,
especially in the light of a 2012 decision to hold the first European
Olympic Games in the Azerbaijani capital.
"Do you understand what it is? They are holding the European Olympics
in a fascist country. They turn a blind eye to all this, trying to
blame Armenia for an economic cooperation with the Customs Union.
Everything has to stem from national interest. If it is now in our
interests to integrate into that organization, we will do so; should
the EU [be in our interests] tommorrow, we'll collaborate with the EU.
But it is always important to choose the right moment. If we now apply
[for membership], Kazakhstan and the other countries [expected to join
the CU] will start opposing to that, deteriorating the situation and
impacting our reputation," he noted.
Addressing the existing disagreements over the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict among the members of the EU-Armenia parliamentary delegation,
Babayan said the country's position on the issue remains unequivocal.
"France too, is an EU member state. So why should it be replaced
[as a co-chairing country of the OSCE Minsk Group]? On what principle?
France has been working on the problem for years. When the Minsk
Group co-chairmanship was established, they did weigh everything,
didn't they? There were representatives from different countries,
but the format that finally developed is what we have today: US,
France and Russia. This, we think, is an optimal and right format,"
added the spokesperson.
Armenian News - Tert.am
10:54 * 14.02.14
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) is free to decide on any format
of supranational integration; the important thing is the choice of
moment, says an official.
Speaking to Tert.am, a spokesperson for the NKR president, David
Babayan, stressed the importance of focusing on the possible end-result
before choosing the right integration format (whether with the Eurasian
Customs Union or the EU).
"We do, of course, have a right and can do such a thing; the issue is
whether or not we will attain a result. This is the question; hence we
are required to be realistic. Yes, it is within our competence to apply
to unions, but will they accept us? That's the problem. And in order
to maintain our honor and reputation, we must be realistic. I think we
must think much and weigh [the pluses and minuses]; perhaps, a moment
will come that we will be able to apply to different organizations
for membership," he noted.
Babayan said it is still early for Karabakh to speak of membership
in different unions, as the country needs first of all to be
internationally recognized.
As for Armenia's membership in the Russian-led Customs Union and his
country's status thereafter, Babayan said he doesn't understand why
it has become a matter of life and death for many.
"All speak of Armenia's membership in the Customs Union, with some
criticizing and others backing [the deal]; yet very many keep talking,
unaware of what is going on. For us, the most important thing is
not the membership or non-membership in the Customs Union; we have
more important and dangerous challenges. We have Azerbaijan. We must
focus our big efforts on restraining such a neighbor; we must always
be strong to prevent Azerbaijan from losing balance and taking any
action. That's the most important thing," he added.
Babayan said it is strange for him to see different EU member
states criticize Armenia for the decision to join the Customs Union,
especially in the light of a 2012 decision to hold the first European
Olympic Games in the Azerbaijani capital.
"Do you understand what it is? They are holding the European Olympics
in a fascist country. They turn a blind eye to all this, trying to
blame Armenia for an economic cooperation with the Customs Union.
Everything has to stem from national interest. If it is now in our
interests to integrate into that organization, we will do so; should
the EU [be in our interests] tommorrow, we'll collaborate with the EU.
But it is always important to choose the right moment. If we now apply
[for membership], Kazakhstan and the other countries [expected to join
the CU] will start opposing to that, deteriorating the situation and
impacting our reputation," he noted.
Addressing the existing disagreements over the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict among the members of the EU-Armenia parliamentary delegation,
Babayan said the country's position on the issue remains unequivocal.
"France too, is an EU member state. So why should it be replaced
[as a co-chairing country of the OSCE Minsk Group]? On what principle?
France has been working on the problem for years. When the Minsk
Group co-chairmanship was established, they did weigh everything,
didn't they? There were representatives from different countries,
but the format that finally developed is what we have today: US,
France and Russia. This, we think, is an optimal and right format,"
added the spokesperson.
Armenian News - Tert.am