UNITED NATIONS–Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian, in his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, Thursday blasted Azerbaijan’s continued threats of military action and actual military build-up, saying that the international body has clear guidelines for such actions that were not being adhered to.
In his first major address before the international community, Sarkisian highlighted the significant role Armenia plays in the South Caucasus, emphasizing its central role during recent conflict between Georgia and Russia.
“We, the member countries of the United Nations, must adhere to the letter of the United Nations Charter. If any country, in a short period of time, enlarges its military budget on several occasions and is proud of that; If it blatantly violates international armament agreemen’s; If a country has signed a cease-fire agreement, which is a legal international document, but at every juncture threatens to resume war; These require a prompt and decisive response,” said Sarkisian referring to the continued threats of war by Azerbaijan.
He also urged the General Assembly that the time has come for the international community to look at the right to self-determination of peoples as a guiding principle for the resolution of conflicts.
“We reject the notion that every expression of self-determination is viewed as separatism,” said Sarkisian, who added that the Karabakh conflict must be resolved through peaceful means, adding that the OSCE Minsk Group process was the optimal avenue through which the conflict can be resolved.
Sarkisian also discussed his decision to invite Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Armenia for a meeting on the sidelines of the Turkey-Armenia’soccer match. He said the most important issue emanating from his meeting with Gul was the agreement that unresolved issues between the two nations should not be left to the next generations.
Asbarez will have more coverage of the Sarkisian speech at the General Assembly. We will post the entire transcript online.
