Interview with New Azerbaijan Party MP Aydin Mirzazade, deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee on security and defence.
How do you assess the Armenian parliament's failure to recognize the independence of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh republic?
I think the Armenian public does not know how to deal with this problem of their own making. Theoretically, the Armenian parliament was to have recognized the so-called "NKR" unanimously. The current Armenian president was among the leaders of the militarized groupings that occupied Azerbaijani land and kicked Azerbaijanis out of their homes. History shows that while occupation may be possible, the further international recognition of a structure is an impossible process to implement. The Armenian public does not know what to do with the "NKR". It's a millstone around Armenia's neck, and Armenia cannot go anywhere without it. The country understands full well that recognition of the independence of the "NKR" would be tantamount to setting itself against the international community. Even the western world, which bears patiently Armenia's actions in the negotiating process, might resort to sanctions if Yerevan recognized the "NKR". This will cause Armenia's diplomatic isolation. This country may be deprived of the financial assistance on which it depends. All the same, Azerbaijan will get good grounds to stop the negotiating process and restore its territorial integrity through other means. Although the Armenian president said Armenia would recognize the "NKR", they did not have the political courage to take this step in reality. This is recognition that they themselves are hostage to a problem of their own making.
Is it a valid conclusion that the Armenian authorities have already realized that the issue lacks potential while the opposition has not, since 13 opposition deputies spoke in favour of recognition?
There is no opposition in the Armenian parliament. The real opposition is outside the legislative body. The Armenian parliament has only powers that are connected with the authorities. They are currently creating the background and trying to show that the opposition is ready to recognize the "NKR". I am sure that if 13 people are in power tomorrow, they will vote against the recognition of the "NKR", saying that is inexpedient at present. This is just the division of roles by the Armenian authorities.
Do you think the non-recognition of the "NKR" by the Armenian parliament may be a positive factor in the negotiating process?
No matter whether Armenia recognizes the "NKR" or not, justice is on Azerbaijan’s side. The international community condemns the occupation of part of Azerbaijani's land by Armenia. At different times influential international organizations have supported the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. At the recent NATO summit this organization declared that territorial integrity is the only principle in interstate relations and this became a very sensitive attack on Armenia’s policy. Even if Armenia recognized the "NKR", it would not be able to influence the negotiating process. Armenia is currently looking for ways to get out of the situation with minimum losses. This is the policy of the Armenian authorities.
Emil Guliyev
News.Az
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