EU’s Barroso, Armenian leader differ on Garabagh conflict
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Armenian
President Serzh Sarkisian stated divergent views on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh during
their talks in Brussels on Wednesday.
Germany’s Deutsche Welle radio station reported that during the discussions Sarkisian once again raised the issue of getting separatist forces, which he termed as "legitimate authorities in Upper Garabagh", involved in the ongoing peace talks. He went as far as saying that "this could foster a qualitatively new level of negotiations".
Sarkisian then referred to the so-called elections held last Sunday by the Armenia-backed separatist regime in Azerbaijan’s occupied Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh region.
"The ‘parliamentary elections’ held in Upper Garabagh have shown that the people of ‘the Upper Garabagh Republic’ have managed to establish a contemporary and democratic state," he alleged. "Otherwise, field commanders or other forces would reign in Upper Garabagh. We are opposed to this. It is important that the Armenian side’s position is taken into account."
The European Commission president reminded Sarkisian of the statement made by Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The statement said that the EU deems as unconstitutional and illegal the framework in which the elections in the breakaway territories took place.
Barroso said, further, that the EU considers the Garabagh conflict a problem of international scale and supports the OSCE’s mediating efforts. He emphasized that numerous countries, including Russia, do not deem the separatist regime in Upper Garabagh as a side in negotiations.
But Sarkisian regarded this position as incomprehensible, saying "we consider this odd and are trying to understand the reasons."
Ethnic Armenians in Upper Garabagh, backed by Armenia, declared so-called independence in fighting that erupted as the Soviet Union headed towards its 1991 collapse. The war left over 30,000 people dead on both sides. The Armenians invaded Upper Garabagh and seven surrounding Azeri districts before a cease-fire was declared in 1994. Last Sunday, the separatist regime held "a parliamentary "election", which was condemned by Azerbaijan and the world community.*
Germany’s Deutsche Welle radio station reported that during the discussions Sarkisian once again raised the issue of getting separatist forces, which he termed as "legitimate authorities in Upper Garabagh", involved in the ongoing peace talks. He went as far as saying that "this could foster a qualitatively new level of negotiations".
Sarkisian then referred to the so-called elections held last Sunday by the Armenia-backed separatist regime in Azerbaijan’s occupied Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh region.
"The ‘parliamentary elections’ held in Upper Garabagh have shown that the people of ‘the Upper Garabagh Republic’ have managed to establish a contemporary and democratic state," he alleged. "Otherwise, field commanders or other forces would reign in Upper Garabagh. We are opposed to this. It is important that the Armenian side’s position is taken into account."
The European Commission president reminded Sarkisian of the statement made by Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The statement said that the EU deems as unconstitutional and illegal the framework in which the elections in the breakaway territories took place.
Barroso said, further, that the EU considers the Garabagh conflict a problem of international scale and supports the OSCE’s mediating efforts. He emphasized that numerous countries, including Russia, do not deem the separatist regime in Upper Garabagh as a side in negotiations.
But Sarkisian regarded this position as incomprehensible, saying "we consider this odd and are trying to understand the reasons."
Ethnic Armenians in Upper Garabagh, backed by Armenia, declared so-called independence in fighting that erupted as the Soviet Union headed towards its 1991 collapse. The war left over 30,000 people dead on both sides. The Armenians invaded Upper Garabagh and seven surrounding Azeri districts before a cease-fire was declared in 1994. Last Sunday, the separatist regime held "a parliamentary "election", which was condemned by Azerbaijan and the world community.*
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