The Fact of Nagorno-Karabakh Being an Autonomous Region Should Be on the Negotiation Table, Oskanian

The fact that Nagorno-Karabakh was an autonomous region during the Soviet era should be placed on the negotiation table, stated former Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian in an interview with reporters.

Oskanian recalled that this fact has allowed the people of Artsakh to strive for self-determination since 1991. “The fact that during the Soviet period, Nagorno-Karabakh was an autonomous region should be part of today’s negotiations agenda. I am convinced that this will open new opportunities for political and legal solutions in the negotiation process. No one can counter this issue being brought to the agenda; the international community has accepted this immediately and will bring it to the negotiation table,” said Oskanian.

According to him, Azerbaijan may resist, but this will lead to serious issues from the perspective of international law. “When this issue enters the agenda, it will give the people of Artsakh, with the help of the international community, the opportunity to strive for independence,” emphasized the former foreign minister.

Oskanian believes that an alternative to Prime Minister Pashinyan's political approach on the negotiation platform is serious work with the international community. “Yes, for the international community, it is desirable for the Nagorno-Karabakh issue to be resolved, but they are not too concerned about how it will be resolved. They are following the path that seems easiest. Today, Nikol Pashinyan is showing the international community the easiest path by handing over Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan,” Oskanian stated.

He assessed that the moment the Armenian authorities provide a new framework for the nature of the negotiations, there will be a sharp change in the stance of the international community.