In the President’s speech in Strasbourg at the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, and especially in the questions and answers that followed, there were many misrepresentations, but three in particular must be disowned by the administration.   

First, to claim that Armenia has not recognized the independence of Karabakh because Armenia accepts the principle of territorial integrity is to misrepresent Armenia’s position of the last 20 years, including his own years.

For two decades, Armenia has not recognized the independence of Karabakh specifically in order not to predetermine the outcome of the negotiations process. If Azerbaijan were to pull out of those negotiations, or attempt to use force, then the Republic of Armenia would recognize the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. That has been the policy of the Armenian Republic, through three administrations. Thus, the President’s interpretation requires retraction especially because nowhere else in his prepared remarks is there anything that in any way presents the official position itself. 

Second, the principles of non-use of force, territorial integrity and self-determination, which the President listed as the Madrid principles are in fact the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and serve as the guiding philosophy for any conflict, including this one. Over the years, principles, which number more than three and are specific to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, have been developed. They have come to be known as the Madrid principles. As far as I know, even if the Madrid Document has been revised, the principles remain the same. First among the Madrid principles has been the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to self-determination.

Third, after two military victories, Armenians have adhered to the negotiation process, because we have believed that there is no military solution to this conflict, and not because the Azerbaijani side has an advantage.

A peaceful resolution remains Armenians’ goal -- a resolution that is based on solid, lasting principles. In the run-up to and in Kazan, the Armenian position must be clearly and forcefully rectified. This struggle was and continues to be about Karabakh’s right to self-determination, first and foremost.