“Azerbaijan’s statements contradict international law”

Hague International Court judgement on recognition of Kosovo independence was unprecedented. Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan declared in his interview to “Haylur” news program.

“It is unprecedented first of all because the International Court addressed two principles – correlation of principles of self-determination of peoples and territorial integrity. The court judgement comes from UN Regulations,” Kocharyan explained adding that self-determination of peoples is one of the UN goals, while territorial integrity is merely a principle to achieve that goal.

“Under self -determination, territorial integrity is secondary, self-determination of peoples is primary. Hague Court judgement is just about it,” Shavarsh Kocharyan said.

He quoted a fragment from Hague Court President’s speech: “International law has no obstacle for proclamation of independence.” Then he quoted U.S. official representative’s statement in the Court: “International law does not hinder proclamation of independence, neither it demands a permission for it.”

“Therefore it is obvious that all statements of Azerbaijan completely contradict international law and second, the International Court, in essence, said that two Alban states – Albania and Kosovo can be independent. Then why did Azerbaijani higher officials declare that Armenians cannot get self-determination twice, cannot have two states?” Deputy Foreign Minister concluded.