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MUTUAL CONCESSIONS – NOT END IN ITSELF

Politics

Politics is not trade and the notion of “mutual concessions” should be perceived from the viewpoint of all the parties to conflict. We should defend our interests and abstract talks about mutual concessions are inadmissible for me”, NKR Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan stated in an interview with Ayb-Fe weekly.

Territories are the guarantee for the refugees’ issue

“I am speaking of the parties involved in the conflict. The fate of Karabakh should be determined by the people of Karabakh. The authorities of Armenia, Russia or Japan can have a certain role in the negotiation process, however the final decision should be made by the Karabakh people”, Arman Melikyan stressed. In his opinion, the return of territories is not the principal issue. “I think we should proceed from the universal principles of justice and approach the issue from the aspect of human rights protection. During many years these territories were the security zone. However today there exists one important issue – the fate of Armenian refugees. Today people speak of 1 million of Azeris but no one speaks of 500 thousand Armenian. And we hope that the international community will not remain indifferent to the fate of these people.

Serious prospects

As for Karabakh’s control over the territories and the settling of the territories, Arman Melikyan thinks it’s an “expensive pleasure”.

“The implementation of such programs will demand great expenses. Our state does not possess such funds presently. Years are needed to resettle the refugees”, he says.

As for the conflict settlement, Arman Melikian is rather optimistic. “The outcome will be positive for us even of years will past till the conflict is settled”, he stated.