Artsax and the Kosovo Model

[Ashot]

ACNIS Examines Artsakh and the Kosovo Model

14.03.2008 11:07

 

The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) convened a foreign policy discussion to explore the recent precedent of international recognition of Kosovo's independence and whether this precedent can be applied in the case of Artsakh. The meeting brought together leading analysts, policy specialists, public and political figures, and media representatives.

 

The day's first speaker was Member of Parliament Stepan Safaryan, who gave clarifications on whether the Kosovo example really is a precedent or just another case of the "selective rule of law." In his view, the real precedent for a legal, constitutional declaration of decolonization and statehood is Artsakh itself, and all types of speculations that are made at various levels with respect to Kosovo are yet another indication of the application of geopolitics-driven double standards. "Sadly, Armenia not only is missing the Kosovo 'train,' but some of its officials are making fairly worrisome, if not dubious statements that Kosovo carries no precedential effect for Artsakh," Safaryan noted. According to him, Armenia needs to take the initiative in developing a frame of mind and policy that because of a number of objective and subjective factors it is no longer possible for certain national entities—and Nagorno Artsax in the first place—to return to their former status.

 

In his intervention, Arman Melikyan, Nagorno Artsax Republic's former Minister of Foreign Affairs, analyzed the Armenian position concerning whether or not to formally recognize Kosovo. In his view, first and foremost Armenia itself should recognize the independence of NKR. "Kosovo's example provides the perfect opportunity to adopt laws which also include the granting of Artsax citizenship to hundreds of thousands of our compatriots who were expelled or otherwise emigrated from Azerbaijan," Melikiyan stated, emphasizing that it is impermissible to barter around the liberated territories. He also indicated that under the present conditions it is crucial to prove, with hard legal evidence, to the international community that Artsakh, with its national boundaries, democratic institutions, and all other internationally recognized standards, is truly an established sovereign state.

 

In his comparative review, Chairman Shavarsh Kocharyan of the National Democratic Party drew relevant parallels between Artsakh and Kosovo in terms of their actual readiness for independence. He underscored that the legal and historical bases for the declaration of Artsax's independence are flawless. "Firstly, in contrast with Kosovo, whose borders are being guarded by international peacekeeping forces, Nagorno Artsax is capable of defending its independence against any external aggression. Secondly, the system of national governance operates efficiently in Artsakh and its armed forces are under the command of its civilian authorities. And, thirdly, the matter of Artsax's financial security has been resolved successfully," Kocharyan maintained, adding that the situation is quite the opposite with respect to Kosovo as foreign donors have provided it three billion euros in aid. Still, the Armenian side, in Kocharyan's view, was unable to make proper use of its advantages by unwittingly allowing a shift in the issue's vector toward a mere territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

 

Public Radio of Armenia