EX COUNSELOR OF ARMENIAN PRESIDENT CALLS ON ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES TO GIVE UP "COMMON STATE" CONCEPT

PanARMENIAN.Net - 30.01.2001, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. "Principles of self-determination of nations and territorial integrity shouldn't be considered on the same plane", ex-counselor of the Armenian President for foreign policy, leader of the Democratic Party Aram Sarkisian stated today at a press conference in Yerevan.

According to him, focusing on the principle of the nations' self-determination was actual at the initial stage of the national-liberation movement, which began in Nagorno Karabakh Republic in early 1988. Today Armenia must declare that it never violated the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and has no such claims, Sarkisian said. As a result of war actions, provoked by Azerbaijan, security zone is formed around NKR in accord with the international norms. This position, which, in Sarkisian's opinion, is flawless, must be applied by Armenian authorities, especially now, when "the Council of Europe demands resolving the Karabakh conflict as soon as possible".

At the same time, Sarkisian noted, Armenia must give up the last proposal by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen of the "Common State" concept. Armenia must take such step in reply to the toughened position of official Baku, ex-counselor of the President said. -0-