November 18, 2008 - 13:51 AMT
Konstantin Zatulin: Karabakh will be recognized as independent state sooner or later
The Nagorno Karabakh conflict will never be resolved without participation of Karabakh itself in talks, a Russian politician said.

"The Moscow declaration is a unique document, since it ruled out resolution of the conflict by use of force. As to Azerbaijan's statements that Russia will "cede Karabakh and bunko Armenia", they are extremely improper. Russia can't cede a land which doesn't belong to it," Konstantin Zatulin, State Duma member, director of the institute of CIS studies, told a news conference today.

During the November 2 meeting, the Presidents Dmitry Medvedev of Russia, Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan signed a declaration envisaging resolution of the Karabakh conflict on the basis of principles and norms of the international law.

Russia, like Armenia, is not prepared to recognize independence of Nagorno Karabakh yet, according to him.

"However, recognition is inevitable. During 17 years, Karabakh proved its being a developing and democratic state, contrary to Azerbaijan. Besides, no one can insist that the right of nations to self-determination is a secondary principle. I am confident Nagorno Karabakh will be recognized as an independent entity sooner or later," Zatulin said.