Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan: "The conflict area is the border of Karabakh and Azerbaijan, not Armenia and Azerbaijan"

According to the political scientist, the declaration is also positive in the sense that the two presidents Sargsyan and Aliyev signed the document simultaneously and finally, it is welcomed that both presidents promise to settle the Karabakh issue only peacefully.

"The document has another positive side - the two presidents agree to adhere to the international laws in the issue of Karabakh, while the birth, declaration and the very existence of Karabakh fully complies with international laws", said Melik-Shahnazaryan.

As for the negative sides of the declaration, the political scientist voiced resentment that "Nagorno Karabakh" is not taking part in the negotiations as the negotiation party and its participation is not fixed in the declaration.

"The matter is that the conflict zone is a border of Karabakh and Azerbaijan, not Armenia and Azerbaijan. In this sense the signature of Karabakh is important and it should have been made in the declaration", said the political scientist noting that Karabakh should in turn promise not to apply force.

He considers it necessary to sign a joint agreement between Baku and Khankendi binding them to settle the Karabakh issue peacefully.

According to the political scientist, the rejection of the invitation of Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and non-participation in the meeting would have been perceived as an incorrect step. "This would enable Azerbaijan to speculate on this issue", said he and added that the external policy of Armenia should now try to involve Karabakh as a negotiation party.

Melik-Shahnazaryan voiced confidence that the composition of the OSCE Minsk Group will not change, though the replacement of US co-chair Matthew Bryza is possible after presidential elections in USA.

/Panorama.am/