Return of Karabakh to table of negotiations to reflect real picture of conflict: Viktor Soghomonyan

Karabakh has never been part of independent Azerbaijan, political analyst, head of Armenia’s second president’s office Viktor Soghomonyan said at the Lazarev Club’s session today.

“It is a historic fact and is not a subject for discussion. It is clear that Azerbaijan always doubts this issue, but Baku’s arguments do not resist any criticism,” he said.

Soghomonyan said that Nagorno Karabajh must remain independent state and decide whether it wants to stay independent or become Armenia’s part.

“As to Karabakh’s participation in the peace talks, I often meet publication on who and when withdrew Karabakh from talks. As a rule it is being stated as if it happened after Karabakh representatives took high posts in Armenia but it is not so. I draw your attention on the statements of Zhirayr Liparityan in 1996-1997 and statements of Armenian Foreign Ministry which said that Armenia agreed over temporary suspension of Karabakh’s participation and the talks have been conducted between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan and their official representatives. From that moment Karabakh stopped participating in the talks which violated the normal format of the negotiations,” he said, adding that Karabakh’s return to table of negotiations will reflect the real picture of the conflict.