Armenian ambassador to Russia: We have developed the idea to organize one more visit to Nagorno Karabakh with Polad Bul Bul oghlu immediately after the previous one

When asked about information that he, together with the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia Polad Bul-Bul oglu are going to organize a visit of representatives of the two countries to Armenia, self-declared Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan, Armen Smbyatyan said: "We have developed the idea to organize one more visit to Nagorno Karabakh with Polad Bul Bul oghlu immediately after the previous one, as we (hopefully, not only we) felt the need for such contacts - in the end of the trip there appeared a small sign, bringing the two nations closer.

For the first time, in conditions of negative information constantly renewed and purposefully addressed to the public, there appear a positive line of possible cooperation. I want to emphasize that these visits are not intended to replace the negotiating process. As before, we are for negotiations between heads of states within the OSCE Minsk Group. However, I consider it appropriate for the representatives of various sectors of our society to continue to communicate with each other".

Asked about the reason of a long interval between a previous and a planned visit and the reason for certain "secrecy" around the new trip, he replied as follows:

"Since 2007, our countries have recorded significant political developments, in view of which the new tour was postponed. Now, in my opinion, there has been created a congenial atmosphere for the visit. The absence of advance information, which you called a "mystery" is caused not only by the usual diplomatic practice, but a special sensitivity of the issue. It lies in a mechanism of coordination and organization of a trip, as this raises many issues, both political and ethno-psychological, social and ethno-cultural ones.

If the information on this trip is presented ahead of time or will be made incorrectly, the interests of participants of the event will be affected in such a way that it will simply be frustrated. This is unacceptable, especially because today in conditions of a certain decrease in the level of effectiveness of other contacts between Azerbaijan and Armenia, it is vitally important to develop the contacts between the representatives of our public.

Believe me, there will always be forces that neglecting the interests of peoples and nations because of thoughtlessness or mercantile personal motives, would be happy to derail the process.  In this connection I urge the media, as well as representatives of "reliable sources" to be very responsible to each statement and information on the subject".

/Regnum/