A1+
TERRY DEVIS TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA
[08:58 pm] 22 June, 2007
On June 25, in Strasbourg, Leo Platvoet (Netherlands) will make a
report on the Armenian parliamentary elections at the PACE summer
session.
The correspondent of A1+ tried to find out CoE General Secretary Terry
Devis’s opinion on the RA parliamentary elections.
I am planning to visit Armenia as soon as possible. I have got
invitations from the Armenian Foreign Ministry and from the Ambassador
of Strasbourg. And I am going to accept these invitations soon. I am
hoping to visit Armenia during next 6 months if I can. And a lot of
things I shall do, I shall assess the state of affairs in Armenia. But
the fact is that at present the situation in Armenia is better than
before. Many things have changed during the past twenty years. If we
look through the election report we can see great improvements. Big
changes are noticed. If I am in Armenia I will try my qualifications
perhaps in a different way, I would discuss on what I would do in
domestic affairs. For both Armenia and Azerbaijan the most important
is the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh which is, of course, very important
but it isn’t your whole life. There are other things in life. If I
were a citizen of Armenia of my age, I would be much concerned about
the future of grandchildren. I am a grandfather. And if I were
younger, I would think about the future of my
children. Nagorno-Karabakh is not the only political issue in the
South Caucasus.
When and how will the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict be settled in you
opinion?
In my opinion, the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh must be solved between
the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan and not by force. As for the
Minsk group, I have always supported the work of Minsk group. I share
the impressions of a lot of people in South Caucasus who say that the
Minsk group is taking a long period to find a solution. I really share
their impressions. The reason is that I am impatient on behalf of the
people in Armenia and Azerbaijan. The quicker the conflict is settled,
the quicker they will pass to other basic issues of schools,
hospitals, income, wages, clothes, housing, etc.
Will the international community recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh
presidential election outcome
I don’t think these elections will be recognized anywhere else in
Europe except in Armenia.
And when do you foresee the recognition of the election – after the
Karabakh conflict resolution?
Yes, after the conflict settlement. I mean the fact is that legally
Nagorno-Karabakh is seen as an occupied territory. Legally it is part
of Azerbaijan. I support the territorial integrity of all the member
countries Caspian Cooperation, Armenia, as well as Azerbaijan.
Nagorno-Karabakh is not part of Armenia. Georgia may be of Armenian
origin but that does not mean to recognize it as part of
Armenia. Serbia has majority of Albanians and it does not mean they
are part of Serbia. Cyprus has Turkish population and that does not
mean that they are part of Cyprus. I support territorial integrity of
all member countries, that includes Cyprus, that includes Georgia,
that includes Russia, that includes Moldova, that includes
Azerbaijan. I exclude the people of Armenia. But I am telling the
truth. That is what people outside Armenia think of it.
Who is to protect human rights in Nagorno-Karabakh?
Azerbaijan is clearly not able to exercise its authority in
Nagorno-Karabakh. So people who are in control in NK must protect
human rights, not only the rights of Armenians living in Karabakh, but
also the rights of Azeris living in the territory. I mean all people –
men, women and children. I am not interested in their ethnic origin,
the color of their skin and religious beliefs. People are different
but they are all equal despite everything. They are all to be
protected by the same laws, by the authorities.
Do you think the Karabakh conflict resolution is possible taking into
consideration the strained relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan?
Of course, it is always possible. And I would like to see the
settlement urgently. And I see a lot of people in Armenia as well as
in Azerbaijan who are very impatient to see the issue settled. And I
agree with them. It is taking far too long. Meanwhile, money is being
spent on weapon instead of improving life standards in Armenia and in
Azerbaijan. I have never seen money spent on schools and hospitals and
on housing. And I hope it will be used in future.
Karine Asatryan
Stockholm/ Sigtuna