Armenian MP: Australian state’s resolution breaks ice in Artsakh
recognition efforts
tert.am
22:11 – 27.10.12
The New South Wales resolution on recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh
(Artsakh) marks the start of a process which will have a remarkable
continuation, according to Ruben Hakobyan, the head of the opposition
Heritage party faction in parliament.
`Nagorno-Karabakh’s recognition by the Australian state is, as a
matter of fact, the beginning of the recognition [process] whose
continuation we will witness soon,’ he told Tert.am, noting that the
Armenian Genocide recognition too, was a step-by-step process
pioneered by states which were relatively free from superpowers’
influence.
`I am happy to note that Uruguay was the first to recognize the
Armenian Genocide in the 1960s; then came the South American states
which were relatively free from superpowers’ geographic and political
influence. Australia, in this case, is beyond such influence too, so
the next [countries] to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh will be probably in
South America, etc,’ he said, hailing FM Edward Nalbandyan’s visits to
the those states.
`I think this is the goal behind the visits,’ he said. `In short, the
ice broke, so we will soon witness the negotiation process.’
Hakobyan stressed the role of Diaspora organizations, particularly the
Armenian national committees, in the international recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh.
With the resolution passed unanimously on the 25th of October, the
Legislative Council of the New South West Parliament recognized the
independence of Nagorno-Karabakh and the right of its people to
self-determination. It also called upon the Australian Government to
recognize Karabakh and strengthen the relationship with the country
and its citizens.
Commenting on the Australian largest state’s move, the Heritage
lawmaker reiterated his stance which requires the Armenian authorities
to recognize Karabakh`We keep insisting that Armenia must recognize
Karabakh. That will speed up the process launched,’ he explained.