Charles Michel`s statements not law for us - David Babayan

ArmInfo.The EU has its geopolitical agenda, Foreign Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) David Babayan stated at the presentation of the book  entitled "Karabakh conflict and foreign policy of Republic of  Artsakh" as he commented on today's statement by Toivo Klaar, EU  Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in  Georgia, who welcomed Azerbaijani President lham Aliyev's statement  at the Global Baku Forum.

"We should not take offence at anyone. We should admit the facts. Let  them say their own things, and we are going to say our own. We must  adhere to our principles and wee can speak of that. Thee point is  that we must adhere to our principles. As soon as we show  faint-heartedness, make a mistake, it will be the end," Mr Babayan  said. 

"I think the ties some democratic states have with Azerbaijan clearly  show a global moral and psychological crisis. And the argument that  democracies do not war against each other and that democracy cannot  be 'placed at the disposal' of authoritarian states - but we can see  an entirely different picture. so we should bee realists and remain  vigilant, s much depends on a small state," Mr Babayan. 

In this context, he recalled the statement by President of the  European Council Charles Michel. And the harsh response by Artsakh  made Toivo Klaar issue a statement, claiming that Mr Michel's  statement was misinterpreted. 

"Much depends on us. Of importance is our own conduct and policy. We  should not underestimate our potential much less lose heart," he  said. 

As to a possibility of his book being translated into English and put  on Charles Michel's table, Mr Babayan said that both the President of  the European Council and others must on regular occasions hear  messages from Artsakh before the book is translated. 

"And you must know that Charles Michel's statements are not a law for  us, as it is struggle for existence.  We are not insulting him, we  have not such a right. But we are saying to him in a civilized  manner: well and good, it is your opinion, but we do not share it. If  anyone thinks we have no alternative, such people are profoundly  mistaken. There is always an alternative as geopolitics itself offers  such alternatives. And vacuum is never formed in important regions,"  Mr Babayan. 

In a statement by the head of the  European Council following a  meeting with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on June 22, on the  issue of transport communications, it  is noted that the leaders  agreed on the need to start unblocking  transport communications.  "They agreed on the principles governing  transit between western  Azerbaijan and Nakhijevan and between  different parts of Armenia  through Azerbaijan, as well as  international transport through the  communication infrastructure of  both countries. In particular, they  agreed on the principles of  border management, security, land fees,  as well as customs rules in  the context of international  transportation. In the coming days, the  vice-premiers will continue  this work," Michel said.  At the same  time, Charles Michel's  statement does not say a word about the status  and future of  Nagorno- Karabakh. Moreover, in his statement, the head  of the  European Council, instead of the generally recognized term   Nagorno-Karabakh, used the Azerbaijani term "Karabakh" and the   wording "Armenian ethnic population of Karabakh." In addition, his   statement does not mention any trilateral agreements at the level of   the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, or other generally   accepted principles of settlement.