Armenian, Serbian leaders talk Kosovo, Karabakh, EEU

October 13, 2014 - 13:32 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - President Serzh Sargsyan and his Serbian counterpart Tomislav Nikolic issued statements, summarizing the latter’s visit to Armenia.

In a statement, President Sargsyan stressed the importance of a new impetus to bilateral ties. In this context, he welcomed the opening of embassies in Serbian and Armenian capitals, also dwelling on visa provision issues and lifting visa requirements.

As Sargsyan stressed, Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union does not run counter to a dialogue with the EU. “The dialogue will be continued, with our common values serving as a strong basis for further democratic changes in the country,” the Armenian leader said.

Sargsyan briefed Nikolic on recent developments in Karabakh settlement, with Nikolich, in turn, focusing on Belgrade’s stance on Kosovo conflict.

As the Armenian leader noted, though not recognizing Kosovo’s status, Serbia holds direct talks. He also stated that refusing to accept the legitimacy of the authorities elected during the conflict is a losing battle.

He further hailed Serbia’s well-balanced position on the Karabakh issue and support for the OSCE Minsk Group mediation efforts.

“With Serbia to assume the EU chairmanship next year, Armenia supports its important mission and will back the country’s initiatives aimed at strengthening the organization,” the President said.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, 45 U.S. states, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Poland, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Sweden, Venezuela, Slovakia, Syria, Vatican, as well as the European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.