YEREVAN (News.am)—Azerbaijan effectively recognized Karabakh’s independence when its representative negotiated with and signed a cease fire agreement with the authorities of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, explained Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan who was responding to statements made to the contrary by Azerbaijan’s president in an interview with Mir TV.
In an interview with the Mir Interstate TV and Radio Company, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that “Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity must be restored.”
Aliyev’s statements are aimed to thwart the negotiation process and distort the essence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They are attempts to avoid responsibility for Azerbaijan’s aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh and ethnic cleansing, explained Kocharyan, adding that Nagorno-Karabakh will never be part of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan’s statements on its commitment to the peace process have always been false. Azerbaijan unleashed war, but later it itself had to ask for ceasefire talks – and it was with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, said Kocharyan, who gave a counter interview to the Mir Interstate TV and Radio Company.
During that interview, Kocharyan read a document dated September 3, 1993, signed by Baku. “The Azerbaijani leaders authorized Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Council A. Jalilov to negotiate for a meeting between the leader of Azerbaijan and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. That document was signed by Chairman of the Supreme Council, Acting President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev.”
“After Jalilov was authorized, the necessary powers were entrusted to Arkady Ghukazyan, the then foreign minister of the Nagorno-Krabakh Republic. Jalilov and Ghukasyan held talks. They signed a bilateral communiqué that had two points. The first point provided for a 45-day ceasefire, and the second for a meeting between the leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. The meeting was held in Moscow. President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Robert Kocharian and President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev met there. That meeting resulted in the Bishkek agreement. Finally, a ceasefire agreement was reached. By signing the documents, holding talks and approving the protocol Azerbaijan actually recognized the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” outlined Kocharyan.
“They [Azeris] should negotiate with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic instead of disregarding the existence of this national entity and chanting the mantra that Nagorno-Karabakh will never be independent of Azerbaijan. The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has never had anything in common with independent Azerbaijan nor will it ever,” said Kocharyan.
“The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic remains committed to the peace process. It is only on the basis of all international legal norms, with the cause of the Azerbaijani-Nagorno-Karabakh conflict considered, that we will reach peace. Any attempts to blackmail or issue military threats are not only doomed to failure, but have also been a major impediment in the progress of the peace process,” Sh. Kocharyan said.
In his interview, Aliyev also criticized the OSCE Minsk Group, saying that despite the mediators’ willingness to settle the conflict, their efforts have not produced any results for 19 years. “So it would be wrong to appreciate the mediators’ role without having any results,” he said.
I like this guy Shavarsh Kocharyan, support him I like the way he presents for our cass.
Good point… Tell it to all those corrupt “experts” – such as ICG as well corrupt European politicians , who are employed by different energies projects holdings ( what is doing the former foreign Minster of Germany, the well known “green politician”, J. Fischer ?) ..
Turkish-Azerbaijani use to take about non stop about the “international law” as if the internationals law was invented by racist and fascist politicians in Baku and Ankara
Goood Morning Armenia!!!!!! Finally somebody woke up and read the cease fire agreements. Very well then. Since Azerbaijian was the first nation to recognize Nagorno Karabagh (Artsakh), then in the spirit of peaceful cooperation, Armenia should do the same. And who says that Artsakh has to unite with Armenia. Maybie Artsakh should develop by itself. Free of corruption and pure. They are the modern day equivalent of the Spartans. I had hoped that Armenia was to become the Switzerland of the Caucasus. It turned out more like a Banana Republic. Perhaps Artzakh can develop a freer, juster , more equal and equitable society, and inspire the residents of Armenia to do likewise. And then, the two should unite into a Hayasa Confederation. What is this name that the Odars put on us. First the Armens conquered us, and we had to suffer them for six hundred years, but just when we tamed and absorbed them, and that was 2,700 years ago, their name stuck on us like tar. Does any one know any Armenians. I have only met Hays whom the Odars call Armenians. I think that we should shed this appelation and reintroduce ourselves, to the world as Hayasa, the country as Hayastan, the language as Hayeren, etc… The recently discovered royal library and the translation of the tablets at the Hitite capital, reveal us as the Hayasa. That was 1300 BC. We are the same people referred to in those tablets and still inhabiting part of our ancestral lands. It would go a long way towards international understanding and recognition of who we are as a people, and just how valuable our culture is.
The above declaration by Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan demonstrates two things and neither says much about Armenian foreign policy. 1.- if so, then why Armenia didn’t recognize Karabakh soon after the three-party cease-fire was signed, 2.- Azerbaijan successfully turned things around and now the international community is talking of upholding Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
The shamefulness in Mr. Kocharian’s announcement lies in the realization of “waking up too late” fact. I think the entire foreign ministry corps of Armenia should resign, starting with the man at the top, the weakest possible personality in the toughest job, Edward Nalbandian, who ever since his posting has merely reacted to instead of initiating pro-active policies.
Wet noodles, that’s is what we continuously see in the behaviour, tone and demeanour of Armenian foreign policy.
COULD IT BE SAID –
DE FACTO – YES – ?
DE JURE – NO – ?.
Arn.Sweden.
Zareh, I agree! All the leaders since Armenian became free from the USSR beginning with Der Bedrossian and all who have followed are all self-seekers filling their own pockets. Our Armenian peoples, the world over and our Armenian citizens of Haiastan are worthy and deserving of honesty in government. I, too, had envisioned Haiastan as Switzerland of the Caucasus!. Not with such leaders!! Leaderships of Haiastan are all of the ilk of the communist mentality… self-absorbed and certainly ill prepared to lead our fledgling Haiastan to become the honest and all encompassing for its citizens to advance – thus Haiastan shall have progressed. Too, bring forth all that Armenians, a civilized society, have to offer and share with all the civilized nations from all our
Armenian endeavors. Serge and his cohorts are the wrong leaders – these leaders of today are not the patriots that our citizens of Haiastan deserve – for ALL the citizens (including the honest farmers who have fed themselves and too, citizens of Haiastan)! Too, Armenians all of us together with the diaspora, whose love and interest in advancement of Haisastan, is and has been our vision for fledgling Haiastan. The ill chosen leaders, Der Bedrossian et al, have all led Armenia’s citizens down the wrong misdirected paths… given away assets of Armenia, to fill his own pockets. ALL Armenians citizens have earned rights to support and benefit from the advances that defines our fine and intelligent people. Armenians of Haiastan are all highly educated – as a nation – the level of education of our citizens is highest amongst many nations – especially a nation of nearly 20 years!!
All levels of government in Haiastan need to recognize/become that which democracy means: government OF the people… not of a Serge and cohorts, mayors, governors, police and more!! Azad Haiastan!
Manooshag
P.S. Seems all the world over, many leaderships of nations have come to recognize the intelligence offered by the Armenians of Haiastan… lately, a China, and so many more!! Sadly, the leadership of the USA is unable to comprehend the greatness of the Armenians – choosing to continue to ally with a turkey…. whose alliances are frequent, but their alliances melt as the fallen snows… often and ongoing. Manooshag
Manooshag
We may be the mice of Caucasus but we should “roar like lions”. Why do you think that the Turks want us gone? Because they fear us. We need to work with that.
Sadly, the Armenian Foreign Minister along with all its staff are clueless about Foreign policy,they are a disgrace to our nation,so many diplomatic defeats and as for our Ambassadors they are all state tourist in Foreign countries enjoying the scenery instead of batting for Artsakh or Genocide recognition,they all pay lip service to the diaspora in order to fool them,they should never be trusted along with their corrupt boss Serzh.
Their latest ploy is to give state medals where by the state medals has been devalued so much its like giving out confetti, another way to fish a few naive Armenians on their corrupt side.
we are small nation,..lets stop hating on eachother..lets just hate the turks.