Sharmazanov: Both the people of Artsakh and the people of Crimea have  the right to self-determination, and double principles are  unacceptable here

ArmInfo. Both the people of Artsakh and the people of Crimea have the right to implement the principle of the right of peoples to self-determination, and the  double principles are unacceptable here. The former vice-speaker of  the Armenian parliament, Eduard Sharmazanov, stated this on March 29  in Yerevan at the international scientific-practical conference "The  Right of Nations to Self-Determination in Modern International  Practice: Opportunities and Challenges".

At the same time, he stressed that the theme of the conference being  held is more relevant than ever, since the right of peoples to  self-determination is one of the fundamental principles of  international law.

The Armenian politician also expressed regret with the fact that at  one time the Soviet party leadership often ignored this right, as  happened, for example, in the case of Nagorno-Karabakh. In this  regard, he stated that Artsakh had once held a referendum in  accordance with the USSR Constitution and was self- determined. "For  the past 30 years, the history of my people has been connected with  the struggle for independence and self-determination. In this  connection, I would like to emphasize once again that both the people  of Artsakh and the people of Crimea have the right to implement the  principle of the right of peoples to self-determination, and the  double principles are unacceptable here", said Sharmazanov, adding  that the international community should recognize Artsakh's right to  self-determination.  Sharmazanov also expressed the conviction that  the event being held is a clear indication that there is no  alternative to the Armenian-Russian allied relations.  To note, the  event was organized by the Armenian branch of the Friends of Crimea  International Association, the Russian Center for Science and Culture  in Yerevan, the Autonomous Institution of the Business and Cultural  Center Crimea with the participation of the Branch of Moscow State  University in Yerevan, the NGO Association of Regional Scientific and  Educational Centers >.