Politics 23:01 19/10/2020 Armenia

Nagorno-Karabakh people's right to self-determination is of strategic importance to us, Nikol Pashinyan tells TASS

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gave an interview to Russian TASS news agency. Below is the English transcript of the interview published by the premier's office.

TASS: Mr. Prime Minister, you recently gave several interviews to media outlets from different countries. Nevertheless, the regional situation is changing rapidly, so we would like to dwell on the most fundamental, as it seems to us, basic points that are not so subject to change and can help our readers better understand your country’s approaches to a speedy settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Do you see any chance for going back to the ceasefire agreed upon in Moscow, or has it already failed irreversibly?

Nikol Pashinyan: You said international media, I would like to stress that at the moment international public opinion is changing, people are changing, they are becoming more informed about what is going on in our region not only owing our government’s awareness raising campaign, but also due to the Armenian Diaspora’s proactive efforts.

Here, I would like to note that while this is not being done at the highest political level at all, nevertheless there are already some shifts in the process of international recognition of the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. Quite a lot of U.S. states and several European cities have already adopted relevant documents, resolutions, decisions. Several European parliaments have passed resolutions condemning Azerbaijan’s aggression.

Now, in fact, the international community has no doubts that Turkey is fully involved in the hostilities and that Turkey was the main instigator behind this war. Turkey recruited and transported terrorists and mercenaries from Syria to the conflict zone.

Unfortunately, we see that some of these mercenaries are being transferred to the North Caucasus. We can see some of these terrorist groups operating on the territory of Russia. I am convinced that this is not just accidental: the developments underway in Nagorno-Karabakh and around it have already gone far beyond the framework of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. This is already a situation that affects the national security issues of many other countries in the region and even outside the region.

I am confident that so far we have not been able to implement the Moscow Statement, because there are forces that are creating specific hindrances. I first of all mean Turkey. Turkey is interested in the failure of the Moscow statement for two reasons. Turkey’s actions are aimed at ousting Russia from the South Caucasus. Let us not forget that the statement was adopted on the initiative of the President of Russia.

Some forces, and specifically Turkey, are interested in the failure of Russia’s initiative. And they hope so to undermine the authority of the Russian Federation in the South Caucasus.

I think that we all understand what is happening and we need to work hard to bring stability back to our region. Of course we will work very closely with Russia on this issue. And we hope that the other OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will back those efforts.

TASS: Russia is proceeding from the need to immediately organize a meeting between the respective military authorities, so that a ceasefire monitoring mechanism could be agreed upon. Is your country prepared for such a meeting? I mean the meeting’s format and the constituent parties?

Nikol Pashinyan: To be honest, such an initiative has already taken place, and consultations were scheduled in Moscow with the alleged participation of military representatives from Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Our representatives went to Moscow, they did their job, but as far as I can understand, Azerbaijan’s representatives have not yet joined the consultations, which may mean that they simply refuse to do so.

TASS: Are you ready to start the settlement by gradually handing over to Azerbaijan seven regions around Nagorno-Karabakh while keeping the Lachin corridor until Karabakh’s final status is determined?

Nikol Pashinyan: I have repeatedly stated, and that has been Armenia’s stance virtually at all times, that the right to self-determination of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh - I mean the status of Nagorno-Karabakh - is of strategic importance to us.

You just mentioned one of the options available, and Armenia was ready to accept something similar to that several years ago. There is just one nuance here: the status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

TASS: Do you mean the Kazan agreement?

Nikol Pashinyan: I mean the Kazan initiative, as well. I do not consider that very reasonable or pragmatic to make a decision focusing on some important issues and neglecting other important points. We need to understand Azerbaijan’s answer to the same or similar question. Are they prepared to acknowledge the right to self-determination for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh?

TASS: Will your country agree to deploy Russian military observers to ensure a truce and provide for security guarantees? If not Russian, what other countries could participate in such a mission? Are there any countries you do not want to see as observers?

Nikol Pashinyan: I said that our representatives have already participated and agreed on a plan of joint action to monitor the ceasefire regime. So, we did part of work with our Russian colleagues. And I also noticed that Azerbaijan has not yet joined the consultations.

As for those countries that could participate. Russia is a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, and it is obvious that the other Minsk Group co-chairs support Russia’s efforts to restore stability in the region. As for the participation of other countries, these countries have already been mentioned. They should actively participate in the process. I first of all mean Russia, and the other Minsk Group co-chairs.

Who, to what extent and with what activity should participate in this process - this is already a matter of agreements between the co-chairing countries. Armenia has no objections, because the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ format is acceptable to us.

We have an obvious position that Turkey, which has actually become the main instigator of this war, cannot participate in peacekeeping or peace processes in any way, because, Turkey is obviously not interested in peace.

TASS: Russia has expressed deep concerns over reports of the transfer of militants to the conflict zone from the Middle East, in particular from Syria and Libya. How can you comment on this?

Nikol Pashinyan: I was just talking about it. It cannot be a coincidence that following the outbreak of hostilities against Nagorno-Karabakh, after the flare-up, media reports appeared saying that mercenaries were participating in the war against Nagorno-Karabakh. International media, including Arab media outlets, reported that some of the groups had been crushed on the battlefield and somehow parted in different directions. And it seems to be obvious that those militants came from Syria. Russia has officially stated that they are Syrian fighters. It is obvious to me that parts or individuals from those defeated groups are moving to Russia because I think they see Russia as an enemy, just like Nagorno-Karabakh or Armenia. The question is how the whole process will continue: will Russia wait for all these elements to move to Russia and start an anti-terrorist campaign or anti-terrorist actions?

I do not know whether the Russian government or the special services are looking at possibility of launching an anti-terrorist operation right on the spot.

TASS: Including Nagorno-Karabakh...

Nikol Pashinyan: Yes. Russia has taken anti-terrorist actions in Syria, which is quite far from Russia, because the actions of Syrian fighters and terrorists posed a direct threat to Russia’s national security.

As Russian experts said, though I do not know how correct that calculation is, they are some 80 kilometers away from the Russian border. That is a different situation; I think Russia has a legitimate right and reason to respond to that situation.

TASS: Over the past 26 years, the world has not yet understood how the final agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the future of Nagorno-Karabakh could look like at least in general terms. How do you see this future? Are you ready to make concessions for the sake of peace?

Nikol Pashinyan: Of course, we are ready to compromise, we have always said that. The starting point for us is the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. If Azerbaijan agrees on the the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, then we can say that there are prerequisites for a compromise.

TASS: The foreign ministers met in Moscow following the statement issued by the leaders of three co-chairing nations. Are you personally ready to come to Moscow to meet with your counterpart through the mediation of the Russian Federation?

Nikol Pashinyan: I have already said that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue should be resolved exclusively through peaceful means. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan did not accept this point of view.

Our position is that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved exclusively by peaceful means. And I am ready to make all necessary efforts to achieve such a result. Including going, meeting, talking. But we must all understand that the solution should be based on a compromise, not on the surrender of one of the parties.

By the way, if there is no readiness on the other hand, we are prepared to struggle to the last for the rights of our people, for the rights of our compatriots in Nagorno-Karabakh. This is the position of the Government of Armenia, the people of Armenia, and the Armenian Diaspora. I think this is an outright and constructive position.

TASS: Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for the interview.

Nikol Pashinyan: Thank you.



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:16
Government refuses to disclose number of security officers accompanying Anna Hakobyan to Italy
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s wife, Anna Hakobyan, was accompanied by the State Protection Service and protocol officers...
16:35
Pashinyan reaffirms his government's commitment to peace agenda
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday held a phone conversation with António Costa, President of the European Council....
15:50
Opposition politician: Pashinyan leading Armenia to 'capitulation'
Opposition politician Eduard Sharmazanov has denounced Prime Minister Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s claims about “historical...
14:45
Gold market employees protest tax hike in Yerevan
Jewelers and traders from the gold market in Armenia on Monday gathered outside the government building in central Yerevan to protest...
14:27
Armenia has no plans to quit EAEU, minister says
Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan claims that Armenia has no intention to leave the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). “We want to...
13:36
Human rights lawyer Arsen Babayan releases arrest footage
Human rights lawyer Arsen Babayan, a member of the opposition Homeland Party led by former NSS director Artur Vanetsyan, on Saturday released...
13:06
Elina Avanesyan improves position in WTA rankings
Armenia's Elina Avanesyan has improved her position in the WTA rankings. She moved up three sports to 41st in the updated...
12:36
Opposition MP criticizes Pashinyan's mutual arms control proposal to Azerbaijan
Opposition lawmaker Tigran Abrahamyan has criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's proposal to establish a mutual arms control mechanism...
11:45
Ancelotti slams Real Madrid after crushing defeat to Barcelona
Carlo Ancelotti said he was "sad and disappointed" after Real Madrid's 5-2 Supercopa final defeat to Barcelona in Jeddah, Saudi...
11:21
Drivers warned of foggy conditions in parts of Armenia
The Rescue Service has warned drivers of a road closure and foggy weather conditions in Armenia as of Monday morning. In...
11:05
Armenian church celebrates naming of Jesus
The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ each year on January 13, Qahana.am reports. As...
17:24
Airborne dust in Yerevan exceeds hygiene standards, expert warns
The dust levels in Yerevan’s air exceed hygiene standards, according to Aram Gabrielyan, an expert at the Khazer NGO and a specialist in...
16:33
Armenian Assembly of America stands united with Armenian community amid Los Angeles fires
The Armenian Assembly of America issued the following statement in the wake of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires: The Armenian...
16:06
Tigran Mansurian's 'Requiem' to be performed at Prague festival
The 8th Eternal Hope Music Festival will be held in Prague, the Czech Republic, from February 2 to March 20. The final part of the...
15:30
Trump, Zuckerberg meet at Mar-a-Lago
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, a source familiar with their encounter confirmed to Semafor....
15:12
Snow, fog expected in Armenia
Dry weather is expected in Armenia's regions over the weekend and early next week. Yerevan will also remain free of precipitation during...
14:36
EU to analyze Armenia integration bill
The EU will analyze the bill on the process of Armenia’s EU integration and discuss it with Yerevan, the lead spokesperson of the EU for...
14:18
Archbishop addresses Azerbaijan's fresh threats against Armenia
Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the leader of the Holy Struggle movement, has denounced the Armenian leadership’s failure to respond to...
13:45
No Armenian citizens among Los Angeles wildfire victims – Foreign Ministry
No Armenian citizens have been identified among the casualties of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, the Armenian Foreign...
13:15
Primary elections underway in Armenia's Parakar
Primary elections commenced in Armenia’s enlarged Parakar community on Saturday to run through Monday. The ruling Civil...
12:36
At least 11 dead in Los Angeles wildfires
California Governor Gavin Newsom called for an investigation Friday into Los Angeles County’s fire hydrant and other water failures as...
12:19
Pashinyan considers appealing to OSCE over Minsk Group dissolution
Armenia is mulling an appeal to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to dissolve its Minsk Group on...
11:55
Henrikh Mkhitaryan could miss Inter's Serie A clash with Venezia
Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a doubt for the Nerazzurri’s Serie A clash with Venezia this weekend, SempreInter.com...
11:36
Armenia to host Iranian parliamentary delegation
A delegation of the Iran-Armenia Friendship Group from the Majlis of the Islamic Republic of Iran, led by its head Ara Shahverdyan, will travel...
11:15
Fog engulfs parts of Armenia
The Rescue Service has warned drivers of a road closure in Armenia. In particular, the road connecting the Amberd high mountain...
17:13
EU could extend monitoring mission in Armenia through 2027
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has proposed a two-year extension of the...
16:45
Putin ready for talks with Trump, Kremlin says
The Kremlin said Friday that President Vladimir Putin was open to talks with Donald Trump, after the incoming US president said a meeting...
16:34
Armenian FM, EU envoy discuss security situation in South Caucasus
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Friday had a meeting with the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in...
16:05
Yeghishe Charents' book sent into space on museum anniversary
The 60th anniversary of the founding and the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Yeghishe Charents House-Museum in Yerevan have been...
15:36
Pashinyan 'unaware' of developments in Armenia, ex-advisor says
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday claimed that the number of air passengers arriving in Armenia increased by 20% between January 1...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}