November 5, 2008 - 15:45 AMT
NKR: Moscow declaration is a protocol on intentions
Adoption of a joint declaration by the president of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow is, undoubtedly, a positive fact, although it's just a protocol on intentions, said Vahram Atanesyan, head of the NKR parliamentary committee on foreign relations.

"The sides expressed willingness to search for a solution in the framework of the international law. This means that the right of Karabakh people to self-determination is legally grounded," he said, adding that contacts between NGOs are essential.

"Azerbaijani leadership should change its policy and aloe representatives of Azeri NGOs to visit Nagorno Karabakh to form an opinion about the Nagorno Karabakh Republic," Atanesyan said.

During the November 2 meeting, the Presidents Dmitry Medvedev of Russia, Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan pledged to intensify negotiations to end the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The declaration envisages resolution of the conflict on the basis of principles and norms of the international law as well as agreements and documents concluded in this framework.

"The presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia decided to continue their work - including at further high-profile talks - to agree on a political settlement to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," Medvedev said. "They instructed their foreign ministers to activate the negotiation process, in collaboration with the co-chairs of the OSCE's Minsk Group."