ArmInfo. An acceptable, comprehensive and final settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is essential for Artsakh, while the way this goal will be achieved, whether through a phased or package approach, is of secondary importance. The Spokesperson of Artsakh President David Babayan expressed a similar opinion in an interview with ArmInfo correspondent.
According to him, Artsakh has repeatedly pointed out the importance of the philosophy of resolving the problem, rather than the tools to achieve the goal.
"If we take the philosophy of a phased resolution of the conflict, then the core issues should be resolved at the first stage. For example, Azerbaijan recognizes Artsakh as an independent state, and NKR does the same in regard to Azerbaijan. Then, we can consider the issue of borders and communications- that is, progressively, as the importance of the issues decreases, "Babayan noted, adding that meanwhile, Azerbaijan is trying to present resolution technologies under the mask of phased settlement philosophy, which in turn, if adopted, will lead to dismantling Artsakh statehood.
At the same time, he added that this is fraught with serious consequences for the Armenian statehood in the future.
The representative of the head of Artsakh expressed regret that the Azerbaijani side today is not seeking to resolve the causes of the conflict, but to impose its vision of a settlement, proposing unacceptable and unequal steps.
"In this regard, we have repeatedly emphasized that there can be no return to the past on the issue of borders and status. The steps of the parties in the peace process should be equal. And Azerbaijan's current proposals, if adopted, will lead to disaster," the Spokesperson of the NKR President summarized.
Earlier, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan noted that Yerevan admits the possibility of a phased resolution of the Karabakh conflict with a strict preservation of the balance of obligations by the parties. He noted that a phased settlement of the conflict is only possible if parity compromises are proposed for all parties to the conflict. "If someone believes that a phased option will be chosen with a violation of the balance of obligations, then he is mistaken. As one of our colleagues said, a phased option is possible, but with the initial decision on the status of Artsakh, and then everything else," the Minister stressed, adding that it does not matter whether the resolution will be phased or package, most importantly, maintaining the balance when implementing the settlement plan. It should be noted that on April 21, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the parties are discussing the settlement of the Karabakh issue through a phased approach, suggesting at the first stage the solution of the most pressing problems, the liberation of a number of areas around Nagorno-Karabakh and the unblocking of transport, economic, and other communications.
This statement of Lavrov caused a wide public outcry in Armenia. Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan also responded to this statement, who, referring to the issue of territorial concessions, assured that none of the Armenian parties can make concessions that could jeopardize the security of the people of Artsakh.