Autonomy to be discussed in Kazan?
If Azerbaijan doesn't agree with the idea of self-determination, how can that country's government declare that it intends to continue the negotiations and find ways to resolve the conflict based on the Madrid Principles? This is what RA President Serzh Sargsyan said during an interview with "EuroNews".
Sargsyan reminded that that document presupposes the fulfillment of three principles, including no use of force, territorial integrity and the right to self-determination.
If Nagorno-Karabakh's self-determination is one of the fundamental principles for Armenia and if Azerbaijan doesn't agree with that, does this mean that there is no need to expect any agreement or progress in Kazan?
"In that case, Azerbaijan should simply announce that it is against two or at least one of the Madrid Principles, or the international community should announce that it doesn't recognize the right to self-determination. That will throw all efforts of the past decades down the drain. If the right to self-determination is not recognized, how can we explain the establishment of tens of new states and their self-determination? How can we explain the recent recognition of Kosovo's independence?" said Serzh Sargsyan.
Sargsyan recalled that many Armenians also used to live in Nakhichevan, which is another region in Azerbaijan. "However, Armenians were wiped out of that autonomy during and after the Soviet era and now there are practically no Armenians in that region."
"EuroNews" also had an interview with Ilham Aliyev and particularly asked what Armenia should do to be considered "constructive".
"The negotiations are based on the Basic Principles that the mediators proposed to the sides and which fall in line with the internationally recognized principles, that is, territorial integrity and the right of nations to self-determination. These principles are not mutually exclusive. They are so important that they must be included in the peace agreement," said the President of Azerbaijan.
As far as mutual concessions are concerned, what is Azerbaijan ready to propose for dislocating Armenian forces? In response, Ilham Aliyev said:
"We really have no goal to propose anything in exchange for something that belongs to us. Karabakh has been part of Azerbaijan for centuries. It is internationally recognized as a territory of Azerbaijan."
But Armenia will only agree to dislocate its forces under the condition of, for instance, self-determination or broad autonomy, noted the correspondent.
"Azerbaijan's position has been clearly stated for many years. I have publicly declared several times that Azerbaijan is ready to guarantee the broadest autonomy to the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh and those who return to Karabakh, and that generally exists around the world," said Aliyev.
According to Aliyev, the type of autonomy will be discussed during future negotiations.
