Leaderboard

INITIATIVE IN LITHUANIA AND HYSTERIA IN AZERBAIJAN http://artsakhtert.com/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=965:initiative-in-lithuania-and-hysteria-in-azerbaijan&catid=3:all&Itemid=4 Tuesday, 12 March 2013 11:40 As you know, on February 26, a declaration on the establishment of a Group of Friendship of the Republic of Lithuania and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic was adopted at the Lithuanian Parliament. Frankly speaking, the event is quite significant regarding the foreign policy steps of the NKR on the way to its international recognition. Surely, we don't intend to overestimate the significance of this event and especially to fall into euphoria, anticipating the imminent de jure recognition of the NKR independence. But, we should not either underestimate it. This fact should be considered, first of all, in the context of democratic development of our Republic, which, in its turn, creates safe prerequisites for the further international recognition of the NKR and its full-fledged integration into the community of civilized nations. Our newspaper have already reported about the conference at the Lithuanian Parliament dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the beginning of democratic movements in this Baltic Republic and in Armenia, as well as of the national-liberation struggle of the Armenians of Artsakh, in which NKR Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan participated. The NKR Foreign Minister also had a meeting with members of the new Parliamentary Friendship Group, calling the initiative of its creation an impartial assessment of the achievements of the NKR people on the way of building its independent statehood based on the democratic principles. Surely, it is not a mere coincidence that for the years of the NKR independence the first group of friendship with Artsakh has been created just at the Parliament of Lithuania. If we throw a retrospective look at the recent history, we can recall that at the turn of 80s of the twentieth century, yet during the Soviet Union, the organization "Sayudis" led the Lithuanians' struggle against the totalitarian Soviet regime and for the freedom and independence of Lithuania. In other words, they can appreciate and understand the democratic aspirations of peoples, including the Karabakh people, for freedom and independence. And not only understand, but also support, which was demonstrated by the initiative of the Lithuanian parliamentarians. Unfortunately, our, to say the least, opponent hasn't demonstrated such an understanding for already 25 years. Azerbaijan hasn't understood that it cannot turn back the process of establishment of the NKR independent statehood. It cannot either stop the tendencies of the international recognition of this independence. A bright proof of such "non-understanding" is the hysterical and often aggressive reaction to the pro-Karabakhian political actions confirming the NKR existence as an entity of international law. Following such actions, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan sends а note of protest to the violator of the Azerbaijani calmness, containing elements of threats and blackmail, which is accompanied by "the ninth wave" of indignation also at the non-governmental level. This took place last year, after the resolutions of the Parliaments of the American states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as the Legislative Council of the Australian state of New South Wales, which recognized the right of Nagorno Karabakh to self-determination and democratic independence. This also took place after the visit to the NKR of the Uruguayan parliamentary delegation headed by Chairman of the House of Representatives Jorge Orrico, which caused a storm of indignation in Azerbaijan. Lithuania didn't escape this fate, having obtained "its" diplomatic note of protest. Noteworthy in this regard is the commentary by the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan: "Certain political figures and circles take steps far from the objectivity and fairness, which violates the fundamental principles of international law". According to him, such steps "can be regarded as pursuing personal financial and political interests". Agree, it's funny to hear the charges of violating the principles of international law from the representative of a country, the policy of which on the Karabakh issue is an obvious and cynical violation of this very law. The other thesis - pursuit of personal financial interests - is no less funny on the background of the recent scandals related to Azerbaijan's bribery of some European parliamentarians. In other words, official Baku, which is accustomed to act with corrupt methods in the international arena, cannot even admit that someone is able to follow the principles of justice and morality, placing them above mercantile interests. We saw it in the case of Lithuania. We can safely state that the deputies of the Lithuanian Parliament, following the example of their U.S. and Australian colleagues, have noticed and appreciated the commitment of the NKR authorities and people to the democratic principles of development of the Karabakh society. Apparently, many people begin to understand that the NKR as an independent political factor has the right to independent statehood. Similar trends emerged the last year, and we hope they will continue this year too. At least, the initiative of the Lithuanian Parliament members, which became another step in the started process of international recognition of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination gives reason to hope for it. Leonid MARTIROSSIAN Editor-in-Chief of Azat Artsakh newspaper