July 21, 2005 - 10:15 AMT
KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE NOT SUBJECT TO BARGAIN
There are no big changes in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Nagorno Karabakh Foreign Minister (FM) Arman Melikyan stated at a news conference in Yerevan today. In his words, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs work to form the negotiation atmosphere today. Simultaneously he remarked that the stands of the parties to conflict are far from each other and «speaking of capitulation is early.» In the FM's words, no official statements have been made over the talks yet. When commenting on the media frequently reporting on possible return of lands to Azerbaijan and possible referendum in Nagorno Karabakh, Melikyan noted Azerbaijan is guilty for the media leak. NK is ready to participate in the talks is spite the issue is still being discussed by Azerbaijan and Armenia. «NK can take part in the negotiations, however it is not a goal in itself,» Melikyan remarked. He added, «We are ready to cooperate with Baku, if it bears fruit.» At that he noted that the coming parliamentary election in Azerbaijan can theoretically influence the talks. In the FM's words, NK authorities consider the Republic's independence is not subject to bargain. The Minister also said that speaking of the time of resolution of the conflict is «a thankless affair.» «We forget that we are not alone in the world and today serious processes take place in the world,» the FM said. Answering the question whether one or two states will be formed afterwards, the FM said, «NK has already self-determined and it is a fact already. The question whether 2 states or 1 will be formed depends on the situation.»