– Many people in Armenia and outside the country think that the Russian-Georgian crisis will "kill" the complementary foreign policy that Armenia was pursuing for the last 10 years and Yerevan for this time will have to make a firm "choice" between the Russia and the West. What is your assessment?
– I do not agree. Armenia is an independent country with a sovereign government elected by its citizens. It can pursue any path it wishes. The United States, which is immensely more powerful than Russia, is a
close friend of Armenia’s, and remains committed to helping Armenia achieve the goals of its complementary foreign policy.
– Does the West and the U.S. has any specific expectations of Armenia’s behavior after the Russian-Georgian crisis, or you are satisfied by its neutral position? And do you think that Armenia could play a role in trying to normalize the relations between the Georgia and the Russia, or the "game" is too big for Armenia?
– It is important that Armenia and Georgia continue working together on issues of common concern. Russia’s invasion of Georgia, during which Russia bombed Georgia’s railroad and Poti port and tried to cut off the free flow of goods across Georgia, also hurt Armenia. We hope to see additional transit routes open up that will link Armenia and Georgia to global markets, notwithstanding Russian attempts to strangle Georgia’s economy and overthrow Georgia’s democratically elected government.
– Some U.S. experts suggest that after the Russian-Georgian war the cooperation of the U.S. and Russia within the Co-Chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group will be impossible and speak in favor of creating new negotiating format. What do you think as the chief U.S. negotiator?
– I hope the OSCE Minsk Group can continue in its previous way, though Russia’s relations with all of us in the West are undergoing profound change.
As President Bush and Secretary Rice have made clear, now is not the time for business as usual with Russia. At the same time, the U.S., Russia, and France have accomplished a great deal within the Minsk
Group. Speaking personally, I am deeply fond of Ambassador Yuriy Nikolayevich Merzlyakov, who is a talented diplomat, a wise analyst, and a wonderful person. (I am similarly fond of Ambassador Bernard
Fassier.)
Regardless of what happens in the nearest future with the OSCE Minsk Group, the United States, my superiors, and I personally will only intensify our efforts to help Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a just and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
– Do you believe that Turkey may start to play a more constructive role in the region following the Russian-Georgian war and will agree to re-open the border and the railway link with Armenia?
– Turkey is a close NATO Ally of the United States, which we believe already plays a constructive role in the region. We hope Turkey will be even more active and constructive, and would welcome full normalization of diplomatic and economic relations between Turkey and Armenia.
– Turkish President will visit Yerevan on September 6. What will be your message for Presidents Sarkissian and Gul on the eve of the meeting?
– We welcome the courage both Presidents have shown by agreeing to meet. They demonstrated wisdom in embracing a football match as an opportunity to create new openings in pursuit of peace and prosperity.
This meeting reflects the reality that for centuries, the people of Turkey and Armenia have inhabited a common Anatolian home. We hope this meeting will generate accelerated progress toward a just and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which must proceed from the principle
of respect for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, and evolve into a political compromise that incorporates other principles of international law and diplomatic practice.