Interview with Dr Hans Koechler, chair of political philosophy at the University of Innsbruck.
Q: The contradiction between the principle of territorial integrity and the rights of nations to self-determination is a problem for the resolution of territorial conflicts. As an expert on international law, what do you think is the way out of the situation?
A: I am convinced that the rights of nations to self-determination can be exercised by the population within the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the state.
Q: And specifically about the problem of Nagorno-Karabakh, which Armenians say has the right to break away from Azerbaijan?
A: In this very specific case, the right to self-determination must be exercised in a form of autonomy within Azerbaijan since the creation of a new independent state, a sovereign territorial formation, is an act which must be executed on the basis of the principle of national sovereignty. In other words, this can be done with the consent of Azerbaijan.
Q: At the same time, the superpowers sometimes support separatist intentions in conflict regions.
A: The biggest problem is that some countries apply double standards to self-determination and the right to create a sovereign state.
Q: May Kosovo serve as a precedent for the resolution of other conflicts, such as Karabakh?
A: In the case of Kosovo, the declaration of independence of this region did not meet international law. In this sense, no one can draw parallels here. Kosovo should get the status of broad autonomy within Serbia. I think this is the way the right to self-determination should be executed by the population of Kosovo.
The situation in Azerbaijan is the same. The population of Nagorno-Karabakh can execute its right to self-determination by means of the status of autonomy. This means self-government within the state of which they are a part, that is within Azerbaijan. This is the only way to solve the problem, unless of course the parties to the conflict, Azerbaijan and Armenia, agree on some other way to settle it.
Lala B.
News.Az
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