Armenia President Robert Kocharian believes that a step-by-step settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is possible only if the agreements already reached on the conflict are implemented.
According to Mediamax, the Armenian President made that statement at the Alexander Institute of Helsinki University on 6 November during his official visit to Finland.
Robert Kocharian noted that discussion of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh should not be connected with vacating the territories or returning of refugees to their lands.
"This should be an entirely inter-connected proposal. Implementation of the elements of the proposal may be drawn out due to multiple reasons, both objective and subjective. However, the territories are a part of the proposal, but not the only part. Nagorno-Karabakh should have land communication with Armenia. Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be an enclave," Kocharian said.
As for resolution prospects, Kocharian said there are just a few disagreements left on several positions.
"The remaining issues are mainly of a technical nature. For instance, whether to use the term of referendum or plebiscite. Agreement is possible on such issues. However, if we consider the reality - an arms race, hostile statements, and constant threats - it seems like there are two completely different realities. That is a movement in opposite directions; the document we discuss is intended to achieve a sound solution, but what actually happens is a completely different process. That is why I have very few reasons to be optimistic," Kocharian said.