Shavarsh Kocharyan: ‘Territorial Integrity of Azerbaijan does Not Have Any Connection with NKR’

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS: The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan does not have any connection with the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, according to RA deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan. He said today at the National Assembly discussion about the bill on the NKR recognition that there is no any international organization, which has recognized Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, according to which the NK is a part of Azerbaijan.

‘Two states, equal in rights, were formed in the result of the Soviet Union’s collapse – Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Moreover, the NKR’s referendum on independence was held before that of Azerbaijan. The difference is that Azerbaijan’s referendum was recognized internationally, and that of the NKR was not. Our efforts are directed to that the NKR is recognized internationally, and not only by Armenia,’ the deputy Foreign Minister said. He says the RA authorities always keep focus on the international recognition of NKR.

He said the basis of the concept on NKR’s independence is the will, people of Artsakh expressed through the referendum. ‘So far the NKR is not involved as a negotiating party, Armenia assumed the responsibility to present the issue; however this does not mean that Armenia can take NKR’s place at the talks,’ Shavarsh Kocharyan noted. Once again he presented the Madrid Principles, which were adopted as a base for talks over the NK issue. ‘It was based on 3 main principles – territorial integrity, non-use of force or threat of force and self-determination of peoples.

The same thing refers to the latest Saint Petersburg Offers, which were made on the basis of Madrid Principles. Armenia is ready to adopt it as a base for the talks as well,’ Shavarsh Kocharyan said. He stated that Azerbaijan refuses the principles of non-use of force or threat of force and self-determination of peoples and presents one principle ‘in a distorted way, which contradicts to the Charter of the United Nations’. ‘Azerbaijan does its best to keep status quo over the NK conflict,’ RA deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan noted.