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On March 4 the Vice President of the National Assembly Eduard Sharmazanov met with the students of the Faculty of International Relations of Yerevan State University (YSU).

At the students’ request Eduard Sharmazanov touched upon the initiative of the nine members of the Lithuanian Parliament on establishing a Friendship Group with the Artsakh Parliament. He said that it had been a brave step, especially on the Azerbaijani false background propaganda, which once again proves that the political figures of Europe with health aspirations highlight the right of the peoples on the way of self-determination, living freely and independently. To his assessment, the people of Lithuania and its political figures have always been distinguished with civil posture and have not been indifferent towards the destiny of the peoples fighting for freedom. Edward Sharmazanov deemed the establishment of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Artsakh in the Lithuanian Parliament and the declaration connected with it a serious step on the way to the NKR international recognition.

In response to the question what principles are important for reaching the international recognition of Artsakh, the NA Vice President has noticed that the Armenian authorities have repeatedly noted that the people should make a decision for the destiny of the Artsakh people. The second important issue is that Artsakh should be recognized as a negotiating party, without which it is impossible to imagine the first principle; the third – Azerbaijan should stop its racist policy, soberly evaluate the created situation and be realistic, for which the international community should be more consistent. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan continues to be adhered to the principle of territorial integrity, ignoring the right of internationally recognized self-determination by the people of Artsakh. To Eduard Sharmazanov’s assessment, the Armenian people have not been so united in the implementation of national goals, which is conditioned by Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trilateral union. “On this path we have no right to go for adventurous actions, at the moment, the unilateral recognition of Artsakh, which today insists Raffi Hovannissina, will lead to a deadlock. I deem inadmissible the speculation of this problem, but I am flatly against concealing the shortcomings existing inside the country under the name of Artsakh problem. In the inner policy there will be disagreements, but in the foreign policy, particularly, in the Artsakh problem the authorities and the opposition are obliged to act united” the NA Vice President said.

In response to the students’ question what are the priorities of Armenia in the foreign policy, Eduard Sharmazanov has noticed that Armenia builds its foreign policy not by the “or, or,” but “and, and” principle, laying in the basis the national-state interest. According to the NA Vice President, Russia is Armenia’s strategic partner, with which our country has established close relations in the sphere of security. It is the right path for Armenia having external threats, but it doesn’t impede to have also serious cooperation with the NATO. “We are an independent state, and stemming from our state interest, we cooperate with the European countries, the USA, many countries of the CIS and the world,” Eduard Sharmazanov said.

At the students’ request the NA Vice President also touched upon the destiny of the Armenian-Turkish protocols, informing them that this problem is within the framework of the RA President’s authorities. “It’s evident that Armenia will not take any step, unless Turkey ratifies the protocols,” Eduard Sharmazanov said. “It’s worth recalling the reference made by the US former Department of State Hilary Clinton to the RA President’s words: ‘The ball is on Turkey’s field.’ At the same time it is inadmissible for Armenia when they talk with it in the language of preconditions: the international community understands it very well,” the NA Vice President noted.

In response to the students’ question if the punitive measures by the Western countries towards Iran damage the Armenian-Iranian relations, Eduard Sharmazanov has noticed that Armenia has adopted balanced policy also in these relations. To his assessment, Iran is one of the important partner neighbours of our country, and Armenia has regional, as well as serious economic interests, and is concerned about peaceful solution of the problem.

The NA Vice President Eduard Sharmazanov also answered other issues concerning international relations.