STEPANAKERT (Noyan Tapan)–The foreign ministry of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic issued a statement Friday blasting the Azeri foreign ministry for warning European countries against cooperation with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
The Azeri warning came after Karabakh prime minister Anushavan Danielian began a visit of several European countries to bolster Karabakh’s role in the international community and to garner economic support from Europe.
"On February 15–in connection with Prime Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Anoushavan Danielian’s recent visits to foreign countries the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan issued a `warning’ to the world regarding the `inadmissibility of cooperation with Nagorno Karabakh,’" said the Karabakh foreign ministry statement.
"Attempts by the Azeri foreign ministry were aimed at frightening the international community and foreign companies–which received protest notes regarding their activities aimed at promoting the recovery of the Karabakh’s war-damaged economy–are deemed at the least to naive," the statement added.
The Karabakh Foreign Ministry explained that similar "threats" issued by official Baku and directed at the international community and foreign businessmen have nothing whatsoever to do with the economic recovery of the region–which is regarded as a primary priority by the international community in the conflict resolution process. "The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen repeatedly stated this fact during their meetings with the parties to the conflict–in particular–with Azeri leaders–about which the head of the Azeri Foreign Ministry–V. Guliyev was–of course–well-informed. Thus–Azeri diplomatic circles are attempting to conceal their own ineptitude in the real Karabakh conflict resolution process.
"It has been several years now that Baku has been trying to convince the world that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic does not exist. But–despite these efforts–the international community is more and more inclined to believe that Karabakh’s place and role should be acknowledged not only in the Karabakh settlement process but also in the establishment of peace–stability–confidence and cooperation in the region," the statement continued.
Switzerland was the second country Prime Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Anushavan Danielian visited as part of his 10-day trip to Europe. From February 14 to 17 the Karabakh prime minister held meetings at organizations–funds of Armenian communities of German- and French-speaking communities of the country–as well as with Swiss and Armenian businessmen.
During his meetings with the Armenian communities in Zurich and Geneva–the Karabakh prime minister outlined the economic and investment policy of the Karabakh government–provided information about the leading industrial enterprises of the country–presented the prospects for the development of new branches of industry. Armenian businessmen in Switzerland showed great interest in investing funds in the Karabakh’s economy–establishing enterprises in the country. In that connection–preliminary agreemen’s were reached.
Danielian also held a meeting with representatives of Swiss firms. An agreement was reached on a visit of a delegation of Swiss industrialists to Stepanakert to study the conditions and possibilities of cooperation.
In Geneva the Karabakh prime minister also held a meeting with the Board of Trustees of the "Hayastan" Fund. An agreement was reached on the Fund’s sponsoring a number of social–economic–educational and medical projects in the Karabakh.
On the last day of his visit to Switzerland–in the Armenian Center of Geneva the Karabakh prime minister held a meeting with the local Armenian community. Danielian outlined the social and economic situation to those present and presented his views on conflict resolution.
Karabakh Prime Minister Anushavan Danielian left Geneva for Milan where he is scheduled to hold a meeting with the local Armenian community. Thereafter the Karabakh prime minister will leave for Budapest to participate in the first consultative meeting of the Forum of Armenian Businessmen of Europe.