Konstantin Zatulin, Director of Institute of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—The will of the people of Karabakh cannot be ignored while settling Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Director of Institute of CIS countries Konstantin Zatulin told media outlet Noev Kovcheg.

“I have been involved in this issue since the 90s and I know that my opinion is not saluted in Azerbaijan. I am convinced in what I have seen and witnessed. The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has of course succeeded as a state. It exists and has all the state attributes. The existence of its own army and security forces is not the only evidence of this, but that democratic procedures have been taking place in Nagorno-Karabakh during the entire armed confrontation; [I know this because] I have participated [in their elections] as an observer. People do not transfer power to their successors in Nagorno-Karabakh, but struggle for the right of national representation with democratic principles,” Zatulin stated.

Zatulin said that despite Nagorno-Karabakh’s economic losses due to blockade and other consequences of the conflict, “it can give lessons to the so-called recognized states,” mentioning that Nagorno-Karabakh is a more self-sufficient country than some officially recognized UN member states.

Zatulin stated that all the propaganda measures taken by the leadership of Azerbaijan aimed at throwing mud at Nagorno-Karabakh are based on envy and the pain of the defeat in the military operations in 90s.

“I am convinced no conflict settlement is possible without the final word of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. I am also convinced that it is possible to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and return to normal life. The events of 80-90s were based on the will of Nagorno-Karabakh to unite with Armenia or to self-determinate, but not being part of Azerbaijan. And that will predominate today as well, which is the basis of all the options for the settlement. The implementation of the right to self-determination of the people of Karabakh has passed through numerous hardships with a victory in the bloody war of 1989-1994,” Zatulin concluded.