ARFD: IRAN’S ENGAGEMENT IN KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT POSSIBLE
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 7, 2010 – 15:54 AMT 10:54 GMT
Representative of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Supreme Body, Chairman of
the RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Armen Rustamyan
said that though Iran is not an OSCE member, its invitation to the
Minsk group conference should not be excluded.
"Thus, Tehran might get involved in the Karabakh conflict settlement
process," Rustamyan told a conference of Hay Dat Committees.
"The Russian-Georgian hostilities in 2008 generated new processes in
the region. Changes which may lead to formation of a new system of
regional security are taking place," Rustamyan said.
He pointed out to Turkey’s activity in regional processes, adding that
balance between Turkey and Iran needs to be reached. "We should prevent
changes in the OSCE Minsk Group format or any parallel processes,"
the MP said.
In Rustamyan’s opinion, Kosovo’s precedent and the 3+2 format,
established in the South Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan –
South Ossetia and Abkhazia), create a favorable atmosphere for Nagorno
Karabakh, while Armenia should seize the opportunity and take action.
According to him, the initiated normalization with Turkey has resulted
in new challenges for Armenia and region, as a whole.
"Rapprochement has never been an issue referring to Armenia and
Turkey only. With superpowers involved in the process, Armenia should
correctly assess its national interests," Rustamyan emphasized.
He added that the Armenian-Turkish dialogue was initiated to ease
the threat of war in the region. "However, statements on possible
resumption of hostilities have become even more frequent. Yerevan has
become a hostage of its own initiative through starting a dialogue
with Ankara," he concluded.