I Never Said Russia is Our Sponsor: Serzh Sargsyan

Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, was on an official visit to Germany from April 6-7. During the visit, the President met with Germany’s top leadership, President Joachim Gauck, Chancellor Angela Merkel, Bundestag President Norbert Lammert, and Minister of Foreign Affairs FrankWalter Steinmeier. Serzh Sargsyan gave an interview to the German “Deutsche Welle”, and answered questions touching upon Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Russia selling arms to Azerbaijan, EEU membership and adoption of a resolution on the Armenian Genocide by the Bundestag. 168.am presents full interview in a non-official translation.

– Mr. President, I will not ask you about the reasons of escalation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as I predict your answer. I am interested in what have you done to prevent further bloodshed?

– We did every possible thing. 3 years ago Azerbaijan declined 2 principles of the 3, proposed by OSCE Minsk Group, and currently it claims that the conflict must be settled based solely on territorial integrity. Secondly, besides the anti-Armenian speeches and aggressive attitude, Azerbaijan has increased its military budget a few times, by increasing its military rhetoric…

– Excuse me for interrupting; I would like to know, what has the Armenian side, and in particular, what have you done to prevent escalation of the situation?

– That’s what I’m saying. We were warning relevant structures what all of this may lead to. We proposed to initiate a ceasefire violation investigation mechanism on the Line of Contact, to be able to have precise information which side is initiating the conflicting operations.

-The war, as it usually does, began unexpected, however 3 days later the ceasefire agreement was unexpected as well. Who helped to reach this agreement?

– We do not consider that military operations launched unexpectedly. It was expected. And happened, what had to happen. However, the ceasefire was also not accidental. The Azerbaijani side suffered many losses. Besides, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia called his counterpart of Armenia and informed that the Azerbaijani side is ready to meet in Moscow with the Armenian side. Of course, support by the international community was also present. Many countries and international organizations made relevant statements.

-Experts have pointed out high risk of escalation in the region for a long time, where the opposing forces are facing one other. Why don’t you want them to be separated by peacekeepers, let’s say Russian peacekeepers?

– We never expressed a contrary standpoint, however, we believe that the conflict should have total and final settlement. Just the contrary, we expressed our readiness to sign a relevant document, which implied comprehensive settlement of the conflict, as well as presence of peacekeepers. However, the Azeris refused this.

 – You said that Russia had a certain role in achieving the ceasefire agreement. How do you assess Russia’s disposition in this conflict? You said that Russia is your strategic ally, your sponsor, and at the same time, it sells weaponry to Azerbaijan.

– I’ve never said that Russia is our sponsor, neither have I said that any country in general was or may be our sponsor. Russia has never had the same role for Armenia as Turkey has for Azerbaijan.

– However, you consider Russia your strategic ally…

– Yes, that is correct. Russia is our strategic partner, we have strategic agreements with Russia. At the same time we openly say that we are against Russia’s selling weaponry to Azerbaijan.

-At the joint briefing with Chancellor of Germany you said that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh want to build their destiny on their own, build their future and live in their country. Do you consider this wish a legal one? However, Nagorno-Karabakh is a self-declared republic, but you haven’t recognized it yet. Why?

– As it is a compromise from our side. If today Armenia recognized the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, that would mean we refuse to negotiate on the conflict. If we recognize its independence, what would negotiations be on? By the way, this is also an answer to your previous question as to what we do to cease escalation. We do not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh Republic not to escalate the situation even more.

– Negotiations on the settlement of this conflict are underway for already 20 years. Do you still have hope in Minsk Group format? Or do you think new approaches are needed? In your opinion, what role may Germany and the EU assume?

– I think Minsk Group is an optimal format, and we cannot say that no results were recorded throughout these years. Changing the format will not do anything, as the Minsk Group include countries and co-chairing countries (Russia, France, the USA) who have enough resources to impact developments in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan however, does insist on changing the format.

As for Germany, currently it is chairing OSCE. This organization has a good format, and I am sure, this will be effective. Besides, Germany is a Minsk Group member country.

-Armenia has been part of the “Eastern Partnership” program, which implied association perspectives with the EU. But you decided in favor of the Eurasian Economic Union. What triggered this decision? Russia’s pressure? Economic calculations? Ukrainian developments?

-I would like to make a correction: We still are a member of the “Eastern Partnership”. The new phase of negotiations was launched in December of last year. We will sign an agreement with the EU. There was no pressure from the Russian side. We were guided by economic appropriateness. Russia is our major market and our largest trade partner. Russia has offered very favorable conditions within the Eurasian Economic Union, by providing a 30% discount on its products. My principle is taking decisions which can be realized.

– The last question refers a different sphere. Germany still hasn’t recognized the massacres of Armenians during the 2nd World War as Genocide. This February the Bundestag postponed the adoption of the resolution due to Turkey. How do you asses Germany’s likewise position?

– Let me start by saying that the German President used very correct and precise words in his speech last year in April in Berlin Cathedral. We are grateful to him. Besides, I hope, and this has also been touched upon in out meeting in Berlin, that the Bundestag will adopt a resolution prior to summer vacations.