Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian

STEPANAKERT—The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Artsakh, is ready for direct talks with Azerbaijan, on all levels, as a side to the conflict, Karabakh President Bako Sahakian said in an interview with Nezavisimaya Gazeta on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Artsakh’s independence.

Stressing that with Karabakh the conflict cannot be resolved, a fact, Sahakian said, was echoed by international mediators—the co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group.

“Stepanakert is ready to engage in direct talks with Baku over any issue. I believe, the comprehensive resumption of the conflict negotiations is only a matter of time and the sooner that happens the less time would be necessary for the final resolution of the conflict,” said Sahakian.

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic president also said that there did not exist any legal basis for the international community not to recognize Karabakh’s independence.

“It is an entirely different issue that there are geopolitical considerations and other interests that delay that recognition,” emphasized Sahakian, explaining that during the last three to four years, the recognition of other unrecognized states has entered a substantive new phase.

Sahakian explained that Stepanakert is not awaiting precedents and will actively pursue international recognition, regardless of whether other unrecognized states attain it or not.

“There are unequivocal basis” for recognition, said Sahakian “whether it is historical, political or moral.”