STEPANAKERT (ArmRadio)—Speaking to residents in Artsakh’s Kashatagh region, Artsakh Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan once again stressed that his republic’s participation in the conflict settlement process is imperative, given that it is the people in Artsakh who suffer most from the unsettled conflict. Currently, the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh is not allowed to participate in negotiations around the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

 

“We are interested in registering rapid developments and progress in the negotiation process, but this does not mean it can happen at the expense of the interests of the people of Artsakh,” the Foreign Minister said.

Mirzoyan quoted Artsakh President Bako Sahakian, saying, “No retreat from the achievements of the Artsakh people is possible.”

Karen Mirzoyan does not share the opinion that the people of NKR do not participate in the determination of their future. “We participate in the process, but we are not satisfied with the level of this participation. We demand larger involvement of Artsakh in the negotiation process,” he said.

Mirzoyan said he does not accept the premise that the people of Artsakh do not participate in the determination of their future. “We demand larger involvement in the negotiation process,” he said.

The Foreign Minister stressed that even the Minsk Group co-chairing countries realize that a solution is impossible without the immediate participation of Karabakh, and that the only party obstructing Artsakh’s participation is Azerbaijan.

Speaking about the international recognition of Artsakh, the Foreign Minister said that Nagorno Karabakh has an advantage compared to other unrecognized countries. “The state we have built is a viable and strong state despite all its shortcomings and unsolved issues,” he said, adding that this is the reason behind Azerbaijan’s vitriolic reaction to visits by foreigners to Karabakh.

Asked why the Republic of Armenia does not recognize Artsakh, Karen Mirzoyan recalled the Armenian President’s statement that “Armenia will recognize Artsakh if there is no alternative.”