Serzh Sargsyan’s full interview to “Deutsche Welle”

YEREVAN, APRIL 8, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan was on an official visit to Germany from April 6-7. During the visit, the President met with Germany’s top leadership, President Joachim Gauck, Chancellor Angela Merkel, Bundestag President Norbert Lammert, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Serzh Sargsyan gave an interview to the German “Deutsche Welle”, and answered questions regarding the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Russia selling arms to Azerbaijan, EEU membership and adoption of a resolution on the Armenian Genocide by the Bundestag. “Armenpress” presents the full interview in a non-official translation.

- Mr. President, I will not ask you about the reasons of the escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as I predict your answer. I am interested in what have you done to stop further bloodshed.

- We did every possible thing. 3 years ago Azerbaijan declined 2 principles of the 3 proposed principles by OSCE Minsk Group, and now Azerbaijan says that the conflict must be settled based on territorial integrity. Secondly, besides the anti-Armenian speeches and aggressive attitude, Azerbaijan has increased its military budget and increased its military rhetoric.

- Excuse me for interrupting; I would like to know what the Armenian side has done to prevent the escalation of the situation.

- That’s what I’m saying. We were warning relevant structures what all of this can lead to. We proposed to initiate a ceasefire violation investigation mechanism in the line of contact, in order to be able to have concrete information as to which side is initiating the conflicting operations.

-The war, as it usually does, began unexpected, however 3 days later the ceasefire agreement was also unexpected. Who helped to achieve this agreement?

- We do not consider that the military operations began unexpectedly. It was expected. What had to happen, happened. However the ceasefire was also not unexpected. The Azerbaijani side suffered many losses. Besides, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia called his counterpart of Armenia and informed that the Azerbaijani side is ready to meet in Moscow with the Armenian side. Of course the support of the international community was also present. Many countries and international organizations made relevant statements.

Experts point out the high risk of escalation in the region for a long time, where the opposing forces are facing each other. Why don’t you want them to be separated by peacekeepers, let’s say Russian peacekeepers?

- We never said that we are against it, however we believe that the conflict should have a final settlement. We expressed our readiness to sign a relevant document, which implied presence of peacekeepers. However Azerbaijan refused this.

- You said that Russia had a concrete role in achieveing the ceasefire agreement. How do you assess Russia’s position in this conflict? You said that Russia is your strategic partner, your sponsor, and in the same time, it sells arms to Azerbaijan.

- I’ve never said that Russia is our sponsor, neither have I said that any country in general was or can be our sponsor. Russia has never had the same role for Armenia as Turkey has for Azerbaijan.

- However you consider Russia your strategic partner….

- Yes, that is correct. Russia is our strategic partner, we have strategic agreements with Russia. In the same time we openly say that we are against Russia selling arms to Azerbaijan.

During the joint briefing with Chancellor of Germany you said that the people of Nagorno Karabakh want to build their destiniy on their own, build their future and live in their country. Do you consider this wish a legal one? Nagorno Karabakh however is a self-declared republic, but you haven’t recognized it. Why?

- Because that is a compromise from our side. If today Armenia recognized the independence of Nagorno Karabakh, it would mean that we refuse to negotiate around the conflict. If we recognize the independence, then what would the negotiations be about? By the way, this is also an answer to your previous question as to what we do for ceasing the escalation. We do not recognize Nagorno Karabakh Republic in order not to escalate the situation even more.

- Already 20 years the negotiations for the settlement of this conflict are taking place under the OSCE Minsk Group. Do you still have hope in this? Or do you think new approaches are needed? What kind of a role can Germany and the EU have in your opinion?

- I think that the Minsk Group is an optimal format, and we cannot say that no results were achieved during these years. Changing the format will not do anything, as the Minsk Group include countries and co-chairing countries (Russia, France, USA) who have enough resources to influence the developments in Nagorno Karabakh. Azerbaijan however, does insist on changing the format.

Regarding Germany: Germany is now chairing OSCE. This organization has a good format, and I am sure that this will be effective. Besides, Germany is part of the Minsk Group.

-Armenia has been part of the “Eastern Partnership” program, which implied association prospects with the EU. But you decided in favor of the Eurasian Economic Union. What triggered this decision? Russia’s pressure? Economic calculations? Ukrainian developments?

-I would like to make a correction : We still are a member of the “Eastern Partnership”. The new phase of negotiations began in December of last year. We will sign an agreement with the EU. There was no pressure from the Russian side. We were guided by economic reasons. Russia is our biggest market and our largest trade partner. Russia has offered very favorable conditions for us within the Eurasian Economic Union, by providing a 30% discount on its products. My principle is taking decisions which can be realized.

- The last question is from a whole different sphere. Germany still hasn’t recognized the massacres of Armenians during the 2nd World War as Genocide. In February this year the Bundestag postponed the adoption of the resolution because of Turkey. How do you asses Germany’s position?

- Let me start by saying that the German President used very correct and precise words in his speech last year in April in Berlin Cathedral. We are grateful to him. Besides, I hope that the Bundestag will adopt a resolution prior to summer vacations.