TERRY DEVIS TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA

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On June 25, in Strasbourg, Leo Platvoet (Netherlands) will make a report on the Armenian parliamentary elections at the summer session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

The correspondent of A1+ tried to find out CoE General Secretary Terry Devis’s opinion on the Armenian parliamentary elections during the third Council of Europe Forum for the Future of Democracy.

I am planning to visit Armenia as soon as possible. I have got invitations from the Armenian Foreign Ministry and from the Ambassador of Strasbourg. And I am going to accept these invitations soon. I am hoping to visit Armenia during next 6 months if I can. And a lot of things I shall do, I shall assess the state of affairs in Armenia. But the fact is that at present the situation in Armenia is better than before. Many things have changed during the past twenty years. If we look through the election report we can see great improvements. Big changes are noticed. If I am in Armenia I will try my qualifications perhaps in a different way, I would discuss on what I would do in domestic affairs. For both Armenia and Azerbaijan the most important is the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh which is, of course, very important but it isn’t your whole life. There are other things in life. If I were a citizen of Armenia of my age, I would be much concerned about the future of grandchildren. I am a grandfather. And if I were younger, I would think about the future of my children. Nagorno-Karabakh is not the only political issue in the South Caucasus.

When and how will the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict be settled in you opinion?

In my opinion, the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh must be solved between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan and not by force. As for the Minsk group, I have always supported the work of Minsk group. I share the impressions of a lot of people in South Caucasus who say that the Minsk group is taking a long period to find a solution. I really share their impressions. The reason is that I am impatient on behalf of the people in Armenia and Azerbaijan. The quicker the conflict is settled, the quicker they will pass to other basic issues of schools, hospitals, income, wages, clothes, housing, etc.

Will the international community recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh presidential election outcome

I don’t think these elections will be recognized anywhere else in Europe except in Armenia.

And when do you foresee the recognition of the election - after the Karabakh conflict resolution?

Yes, after the conflict settlement. I mean the fact is that legally Nagorno-Karabakh is seen as an occupied territory. Legally it is part of Azerbaijan. I support the territorial integrity of all the member countries Caspian Cooperation, Armenia, as well as Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh is not part of Armenia. Georgia may be of Armenian origin but that does not mean to recognize it as part of Armenia. Serbia has majority of Albanians and it does not mean they are part of Serbia. Cyprus has Turkish population and that does not mean that they are part of Cyprus. I support territorial integrity of all member countries, that includes Cyprus, that includes Georgia, that includes Russia, that includes Moldova, that includes Azerbaijan. I exclude the people of Armenia. But I am telling the truth. That is what people outside Armenia think of it.

Who is to protect human rights in Nagorno-Karabakh?

Azerbaijan is clearly not able to exercise its authority in Nagorno-Karabakh. So people who are in control in NK must protect human rights, not only the rights of Armenians living in Karabakh, but also the rights of Azeris living in the territory. I mean all people – men, women and children. I am not interested in their ethnic origin, the color of their skin and religious beliefs. People are different but they are all equal despite everything. They are all to be protected by the same laws, by the authorities.

Do you think the Karabakh conflict resolution is possible taking into consideration the strained relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan?

Of course, it is always possible. And I would like to see the settlement urgently. And I see a lot of people in Armenia as well as in Azerbaijan who are very impatient to see the issue settled. And I agree with them. It is taking far too long. Meanwhile, money is being spent on weapon instead of improving life standards in Armenia and in Azerbaijan. I have never seen money spent on schools and hospitals and on housing. And I hope it will be used in future.

Karine Asatryan

Stockholm/ Sigtuna