Tuesday, June 27 2017 14:55

ArmInfo.  The development of economic cooperation between states is possible only in a secure environment, but in Eurasia there are regions in conflict and where  the restoration of a lasting peace requires enormous efforts. This was stated by Ara Babloyan, Chairman of the National Assembly of Armenia, at the second meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of Eurasia "Development of Interparliamentary Cooperation in the Interests of the Common Welfare of the Countries of the Eurasian  Region" on June 27.

At the same time, he noted that the peaceful settlement of the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continues to be one of the most important  issues in our region. He recalled that the only format that has an  international mandate for the settlement of the Karabakh problem is  the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group. 

"According to the statements of the presidents of the OSCE Minsk  Group, the conflict must be resolved on the basis of the principles  of international law, in particular, the right of peoples to  self-determination, the non-use of force or the threat of its use and  territorial integrity, which along with elements of the conflict  settlement are consistently presented by the co-chairing countries as  a single indivisible whole. The proposal of the co-chairs also  provides for the determination in the future of the final legal  status of Nagorno-Karabakh through the legally binding expression of  the will of its population - the referendum of the residents of  Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan consistently disrupts the process of  peaceful settlement, refusing to recognize the right of the people of  Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination, "Babloyan said.

The Armenian parliamentarian also referred to  the constitutional  reforms in Armenia, and said that in seeking to strengthen democratic  principles in Armenia in 2015, the process of constitutional reforms  was initiated, as a result of which the transition to the  parliamentary system of government has already started.  On April 2  of this year, parliamentary elections took place in Armenia. They  were marked by the presence of an unprecedented number of  international observers who stated that the elections were well  organized, basic freedoms were respected, and the results of these  elections reflect the will of the people. The desire for peace,  sustainable development and prosperity meets the aspirations of our  peoples. The great Chinese thinker Confucius said that when the paths  are not the same, they do not make up plans together. In our case, we  all should equally strive for peace, prosperity and cooperation. I  want to express my hope that this format will not only lie at the  base of mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries and  parliaments, but will also promote the establishment of interpersonal  contacts, "Babloyan concluded.