Expert: Armenian president, who regards freedom of movement as core value in Europe, should create conditions for Azerbaijanis' return to Karabakh

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, who believes that the freedom of movement is a core value in Europe, should create conditions for the return of Azerbaijanis to Karabakh, the director of the Center for Political Innovation and Technology, Mubariz Ahmedoglu, said.

"At a joint press conference with President Danilo Turk in Slovenia, Sargsyan made an important statement. He said the right of free movement is a core value in Europe. He accused Azerbaijan and Turkey of non-recognition of this key value. If the author [Sargsyan] of this statement has no medico-psychological problems, then his statement can be regarded as a key in respect of a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Ahmedoglu said.

Ahmedoglu said the true supporters of the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, some regional countries, Iran, the OSCE Minsk Group and the UN can use this paradoxical statement of Sargsyan, who personally took part in the deportation of Azerbaijanis from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding seven regions and in prevention of their return to their lands, for beginning of the process of a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

"Sargsyan is the man, who banned the dialogue between the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijanis, who turned into refugees because of the Armenian occupation of the Azerbaijani lands, may visit their land using the right of free movement. Also, the Azerbaijanis of Nagorno-Karabakh, using the right of free movement, which Sargsyan considers as a key value for the European world, can return to their places of constant residence," Ahmedoglu said. "Another meaning of this statement is that it is a call to the mediators in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution. The Azerbaijani President wants to return Azerbaijanis to their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh. If the Azerbaijanis of Nagorno-Karabakh and other displaced persons will not be returned to their homes, this will be an evidence for the  mediators’ inability or lack of desire to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully. As, Sargsyan said everything enough clearly. The mediators can verify the reality of these words of Sargsyan."

He believes it would be more helpful if Sargsyan himself restored power of the right of free movement in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

"The expulsion of peoples from their homes, committing genocide in Khojaly and seizure of foreign territory are completely contrary to the core values of Europe, including Christianity. Sargsyan made this statement under such circumstances, when he is no longer possible to refuse or deny it. At the same time, Armenia has repeatedly said that the seven districts belong to Azerbaijan. Sargsyan is also a supporter of political relations without any preconditions. He must act in accordance with his own logic and his statements, and should not put any conditions for the return of Azerbaijanis to the Azerbaijani lands. He should eliminate the ban imposed for the conduct of a dialogue between the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities. The right of free movement should be realized in respect of the Azerbaijanis of Nagorno-Karabakh," Ahmedoglu said.


/Trend/