– Mr. Oskanyan, what do you think about the fact that the parties have agreed the preamble of the Karabakh conflict settlement in Sochi? Does it mean that if everything is not agreed it means nothing is agreed?
– This principle is for difficult issues such as the issue of Karabakh, where in documents every provision is connected with the other and everything is important. That is why before making any public announcements the parties should thoroughly agree everything and be very careful unless everything is agreed in the negotiation document. From this point of view the announcement you said gives a reason to worry because as a result of such “mutual agreements” in Maindorf and Athens the Azeri party got many opportunities to misuse it.
– After the meeting it became clear that the parties were given two weeks to present joint recommendations concerning the disputable issues. Does this mean that they are applying pressure on the parties to solve the issue as soon as possible or the conflict settlement process is in the final phase? It is worth mentioning that the OSCE’s special envoy on the issue of Karabakh Goran Lenmarker has expressed a hope that the conflict settlement agreement would be signed in spring.
– Pressure is felt when they press on you. They can set any time limits, and if after these time limits there are no documents or resolutions, they can do it. In the recent time as a result of certain time limits there were documents which were against our interests, and we are concerned of the time limits.
– Generally what do you think about the recent developments of Karabakh conflict settlement?
– I am more concerned of Turkey’s active involvement in Karabakh conflict settlement and the fact that the Armenian-Turkish process has complicated the conflict settlement more. Now we should concentrate all our efforts on separating these two issues from each other and defending our interests and rights.
– It seems that the activation in Karabakh conflict settlement has somehow suspended the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation. Does it mean that in order to adopt the protocols Turkey is expecting an improvement in the issue of Karabakh as the officials of that country have numerously said? Do you think that the settlement process is really moving in that direction?
– We can’t say when or how Turkey may approve the protocols. It was clear in the very beginning of the process where Turkey was driving the process. Turkey has already got the minimum it wanted, i.e. the content of the documents and the opportunity to use it for the purpose of its interests. Now Turkey wants to get the maximum, i.e. the precondition on Karabakh conflict.
– During the recent meeting of the foreign ministers of OSCE member countries a document was signed, according to which the conflict should be settled according to three principles of the Helsinki act, i.e. the principle of non-use of power, territorial integrity and self-determination of nations. The status of Karabakh in the principles of Madrid will follow the process of returning lands and refugees. Is there a danger that in case of the Madrid principles the right of self-determination of nations may not be applied for the Karabakhi people in a duly manner?
– The problem is not the sequence of principles but the fact that we should escape from adopting a document on defining territorial integrity and self-determination right as the key principles of the conflict settlement as far as Azerbaijan has not openly agreed with and adopted the self-determination right of the Karabakhi people in any manner. And as far as the parties have not agreed the details of fulfilling the Karabakhi people’s right for self-determination.
– What do you think about the Constitutional Court’s resolution and Turkey’s noise around that issue? Do you think it is the right decision to attach preconditions in parallel with adopting the protocols in the parliament in the manner the ARF is suggesting?
– Things should be called as they are. This is not the issue where you can pursue two goals. Such behavior complicates the process and I think everyone has seen this. These protocols could not serve a ground for the two countries to build long-term and stabile relations. That is why there was no reason to convince each other and distract the attention from more important issues during one year.
– What do you think about the information that currently the parties are trying to involve Karabakh in the peace talks? Won’t Karabakh’s participation be just a formal thing after the adoption of the key principles of the conflict settlement?
– There is no official information about that. However, it should be an established fact for the Armenian party that a final settlement of the conflict is impossible without Karabakh’s participation. Whether Karabakh’s participation will be mere formal thing rather than real participation depends on the fact whether Karabakh has participated in the process of working on and adopting the principles so far.
– Do you think Russia’s position is crucial for Karabakh? Do you think that Russia will not sacrifice the Karabakh conflict issue for its economic and geopolitical interests? There was activation in Russia’s policy with those countries as Russia has agreed to buy more gas from Azerbaijan, and Rejep Tayyip Erdogan visited Moscow recently as well.
– I believe Russia is trying to settle the conflicts in consideration of the reasons you said. As a result of settling the conflict of Ksrabakh Russia will be able to develop closer strategic relations with Armenia for strategic purposes, and with Azerbaijan for geopolitical purposes. Thus, we should not hope that in case of any change in the processes Armenia may still have Russia’s support.
– What is the role or interest of Iran in the process of Karabakh conflict settlement or Armenian-Turkish reconciliation? This issue became a topic for discussion after ex-president Kocharyan’s visit to Iran. Is the second president’s visit really connected with these issues?
– I think you should ask this question to the second president. As for Iran, even though Iran has not had direct participation in the settlement process like Turkey, its balanced policy and approach has brought a positive role to the settlement of Krabakh conflict. Certainly Iran has its interests, Russia and the other countries of the region have their interests as well. Every country acts to protect its interests. We should not accept this with fatalistic moods. In Armenia the problem is to understand the issue, formulate it and try to defend our interests rather than give ourselves to the streams.