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Astana Meeting Proved Need For Equal Relations Between Armenia And N

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  • Astana Meeting Proved Need For Equal Relations Between Armenia And N

    ASTANA MEETING PROVED NEED FOR EQUAL RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND NAGORNO-KARABAKH - ANDRIAS GHUKASYAN

    22:05 * 30.05.14

    In an interview with Tert.am, political scientist Andrias Ghukasyan
    commented on the Astana meeting and said that it could not be a
    surprise for the Armenian delegation.

    According to him, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan found himself in
    a deadlock. The Astana meeting debunked the myth that Serzh Sargsyan
    was forced to decide in favor of Armenia's accession to the European
    Economic Union.

    Mr Ghukasyan, what is the reason for Kazakh President Nursultan
    Nazabrayev reading out Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's letter,
    saying that Armenia can join the Eurasian Economic Council without
    Nagorno-Karabakh, similarly to its membership in the CIS. He thus
    put Armenia's president in an awkward situation and conveyed the
    Azerbaijani president's concern.

    The fact is that Armenia cannot have international commitments or
    acquire any right to any territory outside its borders. And the
    fact is that no state or international organization has recognized
    Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Armenia. Rather, as a result of this
    negotiation format the world views Nagorno-Karabakh as part of
    Azerbaijan. This fact was expected to come to light at one of the
    stages of the process of Armenia's accession to the Eurasian Economic
    Union. This issue was discussed months ago, when Armenia applied for
    accession to the Customs Union. It was noted that Armenia could join
    the Customs Union within its boundaries. In this respect, President
    Nazarbayev confirmed the reality. I do not think it was a surprise
    for the Armenian delegation.

    But does Russia form part of the Eurasian Economic Union within its
    internationally recognized boundaries?

    Yes, Kazakhstan and Belarus recognized the Crimea annexation as
    Russia's legal action.

    That is, of importance is the recognition by the Eurasian Economic
    Union founding states?

    Yes, because neither Russia nor Kazakhstan or Belarus did not
    recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Armenia. Moreover, they consider
    Nagorno-Karabakh part of Azerbaijan. This problem was expected to
    arise at the discussion of Armenia's accession to the Eurasian Economic
    Union. And Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian could not fail
    to know what President Serzh Sargsyan would have to face.

    What diplomatic solutions do you expect?

    Serzh Sargsyan cannot recognize Nagorno-Karabakh because, as a
    political figure, he gave his consent to all the principles that imply
    Nagorno-Karabakh must be part of Azerbaijan and only after that get
    a right to self-determination. I do not see any solution for Serzh
    Sargsyan. He is in a deadlock.

    Can Serzh Sargsyan decline the proposal to join the Eurasian Economic
    Union?

    Not that he can. Rather, the Astana meeting debunked the myth that
    anyone had pressed Serzh Sargsyan. It showed that Armenia is of no
    political or economic interest to the Eurasian Union and that Serzh
    Sargsyan is not a political figure worthy of respect.

    That is, Serzh Sargsyan's counterparts did him a favor by showing
    why Armenia cannot join the Eurasian Union?

    I do not think they did him a favor. The Armenian delegation's aim was
    to conceal the problem. That is, the problem of Armenia's borders. And
    the attempt obviously failed, which was not a pleasant experience
    for the Armenian delegation.

    David Babayan, Spokesman for the President of the Nagorno-Karabakh
    Republic (NKR), expressed concerns over the fact Armenia can join the
    Eurasian Economic Union without Nagorno-Karabakh. On the other hand,
    Spokesman for Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tigran Balayan
    has stated once more that no customs border can be established between
    Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Do not you see any contradiction?

    If we take a realistic view of the matter, Armenia has a $4bn foreign
    debt now, with Nagorno-Karabakh's debt being at least $1.5bn. Under
    the circumstances, when Nagorno-Karabakh's debt to Armenia is so
    huge that it can hardly be paid off, the statement that a checkpoint
    does not matter for Nagorno-Karabakh is untrue. This is of paramount
    importance for us and a serious challenge for our people. Armenia is
    the only state giving loans to Nagorno-Karabakh at interest rates. All
    the other states granted money to Nagorno-Karabakh except for Armenia,
    which is giving loans at interest rates to prevent Nagorno-Karabakh's
    independent economic and military development. And this reality is
    boomeranging now. We see that the Robert Kocharyan-Serzh Sargsyan
    model, which has been in effect for years, has caused great damage to
    our national interests. This challenge suggests the need for serious
    changes. All the relations between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh must
    be specified for the two states to cooperate as equal entities. This
    is not so now.

    The recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh's equal rights by Armenia is a task
    of paramount importance. Russia followed this course by recognizing
    South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Azerbaijani president will welcome
    the decision because it will absolve him of the responsibility to
    grant Nagorno-Karabakh the right to self-determination. But none
    of Azerbaijan's political forces is ready for that. One thing is
    to recognize a fact, but quite another thing is to afford such an
    opportunity.

    Armenian News - Tert.am

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