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 Bako Sahakyan, President of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, had an interview with Panorama.am in connection with the 20th jubilee of independence of NKR and negotiations held over the reconciliation of NK conflict.

-Mister President, NKR marks the 20th anniversary of its independence. What achievements and shortcomings, successes and failures have the country had during these two decades?

-In the process of its independence, Artsakh had to pass a difficult and complicated path, which not every country is able to do.
Soon after national liberation movements in 1988, we appeared under Baku’s pressure and blockade, thousands our compatriots luckily escaping massacres and persecutions in Azerbaijan have found shelter in Artsakh. After the declaration of NKR, Azerbaijan unleashed a large-scale aggression against Artsakh aiming at the complete annihilation of the independent state and massacre of our people. Due to the united efforts of the Armenians, we managed not only to resist but to fight the aggressor and to win. Because of the war our economy has deeply suffered, tens of thousand of people have become refugees. We were forced to overcome another war, this time economic. The country should have to recover its economy and at the same time to guarantee its security and its social-economic development. Again, together with Armenians over the world, we managed to overcome that toughest issue.

To conclude, I’d say we managed to resolve the most important issues of military-political and social-economic natures.
Another issue from military-political aspect is the defense of our independence and liberty, attempt to form a state management system. The defense army should be specially underlined, which is the basic guarantee of our independence and security. Another political achievement is the establishment of democracy in our state management system. I signify Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora relations and the reinforcement of this union.

Referring to the social-economic situation, we managed to restore our poor economy. Today we resolve different economic problems and develop our economy.

At the same time, I would say we have lots of stuff to do. In politics, we must reach the international recognition of our country and peaceful reconciliation with Azerbaijan. We have many social-economic shortcomings, either.

-Unlike other independent states formed in the post-soviet territory, NKR hasn’t achieved international recognition though having all those shortcomings and difficulties common to post soviet countries. Has this legal gap had a serious impact on establishment of NKR and implementation of the country’s potential?

-Being unrecognized, surely has a serious impact on our state, as unlike the recognized countries, we are deprived of the right to get financial, humanitarian and other assistance. Sometimes we think it’s strange, that being a democratic state, Artsakh cannot communicate and cooperate with different international institutions, while Azerbaijan, which isn’t a democratic country, faces no obstacles. Nevertheless, we think that the recognition of Artsakh is a matter of time, since we have all the necessary grounds for that – historial, political, legal and moral. You know any loss is irreversible, particularly for a small national like us. But if we didn’t protect our independence, we would face another pan-national disaster. We are proud we managed to create, to defend and to develop our state.

-Today Karabakh, in the world, is associated with a failed conflict and the threat of its escalation. In what phase is the reconciliation process? What are the perspectives? Will the generation of Karabakhi people, who once fought for independence, live in peace?

-I don’t share the opinion that Karabakh isn’t considered as a hard-working and hospitable country. Even our rivals admit Artsakh is persistent and constant. Artsakh has many relatives. The number of visitors to our country is growing and many of them have the chance to know the truth.

Referring to the process for the reconciliation of the conflict, it’s now distorted without the direct participation of Artsakh. Azerbaijan should be blamed for that. But still the full recovery is inevitable, since without the participation of official Stepanakert to the negotiations, comprehensive reconciliation of Azerbaijani-Karabakhi conflict is impossible.

As for the life in Artsakh, it’s peaceful and safe. Though the final peace and stability will be established after the final resolution of the conflict. Our nation is determined to create free, independent and democratic state.

-What is needed for Stepanakert and Baku to come to an agreement?

-One of the biggest obstacles to the reconciliation of the conflict is Azerbaijan’s deconstructive policy, armed behavior and racist ideologies. In this case, it’s impossible to anticipate any development. Hence, to create favorable conditions for the resolution of the conflict, Azerbaijan must radically revise its policy, refuse unrealistic expectations.

-The topic of status quo is being much talked about. Baku says status quo is favorable for Armenians and they do everything to keep it. Is it true? If yes, what are your achievements and favors in this case?

-When speaking about the status quo in Azerbaijani-Karabakhi conflict, it’s sometimes ignored that it’s the consequence of facts, quite not the reason. Azerbaijan’s vision over the resolution of the conflict is the reason. If a country doesn’t assume the mistakes of its past, and is guided by the same manner in the present and dictates its willpower to the neighbors and to the international community, it’s natural that the process won’t move forward. And status quo is the brightest proof to it. We have been stating that we’re ready to discuss any issue with Azerbaijan. And it’s quite obvious that former status or former borders cannot be returned.