25.01.2001, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. “With the accession of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as with the earlier entrance of Georgia, to the European Council we confirm the whole region’s adherence to common values of democracy and human rights. The history of Europe and its present achievements are the best proofs of this”, Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the occasion of Armenia’s accession to CoE.
As the special correspondent of Mediamax reports from Strasbourg, Armenian President stressed that Armenia’s policy is aimed at excluding the risk of emergence of new separating lines and confrontation atmosphere in the region. “Support to the concept of regional security will become consolidating basis for the settlement of all the regional conflicts, including Nagorno Karabakh issue,” Kocharian said.
Touching upon the perspectives of Karabakh conflict settlement, Armenian President noted that some new and positive elements have appeared in the process of the Karabakh conflict peace settlement in the past few years. “Though the present OSCE Minsk Group format remains the most fit for the peace process, Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan continue holding direct talks. We’ve set good understanding level between us”, Armenian President stressed.
Kocharian said the peace process requires time and patience, but it undoubtedly has perspectives for success. At the same time, the president stressed, Armenia’s position is determined by the necessity to provide legal equality between the conflicting sides, as well as by the realities of Nagorno Karabakh, “which demand wider formulations of the concept of sovereignty”.
“Taking these ideas into account, we continue considering principles of the conflict settlement, reflected in the “common state” proposal by the OSCE Minsk Group”, Armenian president stressed. -0-