One more nation determines issue of mastering own destiny by free expression of will: President of Armenia

VATICAN, SEPTEMBER 19,ARMENPRESS: President of ArmeniaSerzhSargsyan, who is in the Holy See on an official visit, has answered a journalist’s question concerning Scotland’s referendum.

As Armenpress reports, on that occasion the President has particularly stated:“Yesterday we witnessed the referendum held in Scotland, by means of which one more nation determined the own destiny through free expression of will. The outcome of the referendum is already clear and the collectivedecision of the Scottish people deserves respect. Irrespective of the outcomes of the referendum, the point is that an opportunity was afforded to Scots to realize their self-determination right.

I cannot help expressing my admiration to the government and people of Great Britain, who for regulation of the issue selected democratic methods worthy of civil state, no matter how difficult it was to do that.

At the same time, the phenomenon itself is important here from the viewpoint of international community: the future status of people was determined in a peaceful way, and those people determined their destiny through a free debate.

In the 1990sNagornoKarabakhpeople too tried to determine their future in a peaceful way – through a referendum, but Azerbaijani authorities answered them with the massacres of Baku andSumgayit, mass exile and war. It is apparent that gradually the referendum is becoming an important tool for peaceful settlement of up-to-date ethnic conflicts.

Scotland’s referendum had a great meaning for international community and a nice example how important issues like this can be solved.”