Success in talks over Karabach unlikely without incident investigation mechanisms - Armenian defense minister
27.01.2016,
11:12
Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan is convinced that it is very difficult to achieve success in talks over Karabakh without creation of incident investigation mechanisms.
YEREVAN, January 27. /ARKA/. Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan is convinced that it is very difficult to achieve success in talks over Karabakh without creation of incident investigation mechanisms.
He told journalists on Tuesday that to settle any conflict, even a usual dispute, by peaceful means, it is necessary to create conditions for that.
“One of the most important conditions for ensuring negotiation process on Karabakh is establishment of trust on the frontline, observance of ceasefire regime, refusal of subversive raids and creation of international mechanisms for investigating incidents to identify wrongdoers,” the minister said.
In his words, the Armenian side is always welcoming the idea of creation of such mechanisms, while Azerbaijan is opposed to it.
“We often took these measures unilaterally – we investigated incidents and provided evidence to low enforcement agencies and mediators,” Ohanyan said. “We hope that the opposite side will understand that it is very difficult to achieve success in the negotiation process without that.”
Karabakh conflict broke out in 1988 when Karabakh, mainly populated by Armenians, declared its independence from Azerbaijan.
On December 10, 1991, a few days after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a referendum took place in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the majority of the population (99.89%) voted for secession from Azerbaijan.
Afterwards, large-scale military operations began. As a result, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven regions adjacent to it.
Some 30,000 people were killed in this war and about one million people fled their homes.
On May 12, 1994, the Bishkek cease-fire agreement put an end to the military operations.
Тalks brokered by OSCE Minsk Group are being held over peaceful settlement of the conflict. The group is co-chaired by USA, Russia and France. ---0-----
He told journalists on Tuesday that to settle any conflict, even a usual dispute, by peaceful means, it is necessary to create conditions for that.
“One of the most important conditions for ensuring negotiation process on Karabakh is establishment of trust on the frontline, observance of ceasefire regime, refusal of subversive raids and creation of international mechanisms for investigating incidents to identify wrongdoers,” the minister said.
In his words, the Armenian side is always welcoming the idea of creation of such mechanisms, while Azerbaijan is opposed to it.
“We often took these measures unilaterally – we investigated incidents and provided evidence to low enforcement agencies and mediators,” Ohanyan said. “We hope that the opposite side will understand that it is very difficult to achieve success in the negotiation process without that.”
Karabakh conflict broke out in 1988 when Karabakh, mainly populated by Armenians, declared its independence from Azerbaijan.
On December 10, 1991, a few days after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a referendum took place in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the majority of the population (99.89%) voted for secession from Azerbaijan.
Afterwards, large-scale military operations began. As a result, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven regions adjacent to it.
Some 30,000 people were killed in this war and about one million people fled their homes.
On May 12, 1994, the Bishkek cease-fire agreement put an end to the military operations.
Тalks brokered by OSCE Minsk Group are being held over peaceful settlement of the conflict. The group is co-chaired by USA, Russia and France. ---0-----
