NKR PRESIDENT: "AN INDEPENDENT KARABAKH WILL BE BASED ON OTHER THAN OLD SOVIET BORDERS"
Anahit Danielyan
Nago rno Karabakh important politics
2009/09/02 | 13:50
A "Hetq" reporter asked President Sahakyan whether Karabakh settlement
negotiations based on the Madrid Principles would in fact lead to
territorial concessions. "Such questions often arise and are directed
at me regarding how Artsakh pictures its future independence; whether
within the territories of the old Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region
or outside its borders. We see the future independence of the NKR
as being outside those borders and it cannot be otherwise," stated
the president.
We should remind readers that President Sahakyan has adopted a fairly
clear policy on the issue which has been mainly expressed in the
liberated territories. On various occasions he has stated that "the
independence and security of the Republic of Mountainous Karabakh is
not subject to negotiation".
At the same time, President Sahakyan has stressed that these
territories were liberated in the early 1990’s and have been officially
recognized in the NKR Constitution as constituting NKR territory,
being classified as a "security zone".
In his remarks, President Sahakyan noted that alongside the many losses
and hardships during the past 18 years, the country has registered
numerous achievements that have primarily come at the cost of those
who gave their lives for the benefit of Artsakh. "The people of
Artsakh understand this full well and today are directed by this
understanding," he noted.
President Sahakyan also touched upon the recent normalization protocols
signed by Armenia and Turkey, saying that the process would show the
international community which nation, in fact, sincerely wishes to
realize such constructive relations.
"Sadly, we are dealing with a country, Turkey, which still employs
deceit as part of its political policy. We see how various Turkish
officials are interpreting the protocols after having been signed. Of
course, this isn’t an encouraging sign and that we shouldn’t expect
the establishment of sincere and open relations. However, I believe,
that the Armenian people will come out the winner in this process
since Armenia’s intentions are sincere," commented President Sahakyan.