The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved only through talks, Novosti-Armenia quoted Croatian President Stjepan Mesic as saying.
"It is better to hold talks for decades than to wage a war for ten days," Mesic said at a press conference in Yerevan on May 22.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Regarding Croatia's experience, the president said according to Yugoslavia's Constitution, republics was considered states and autonomous provinces were considered Constitutional elements or integral federations.
"If it had not been for forces that chose war as a solution and did not try to change borders, we would have solved the problem peacefully. Unfortunately, military solution took a lead and we inflicted huge human loss and borders did not change event by a millimeter," Mesic said and added that former republics became independent states as a result of military operations.
"It was important to decide Kosovo's status. Serbia did not have potential neither to establish its power in Kosovo nor to hold talks further. As a result, Kosovo declared independence and we recognized new reality," he said.
Albanian powers of Kosovo broke away from Serbia unilaterally with the support of the U.S. and leading EU countries on Feb. 17, 2008.
Serbia and Russia refuse to recognize Kosovo saying that unilateral step to declare new status grossly violates international law.
Croatian President Mesis visited Yerevan upon Armenian President Sargsyan's invitation.
The chief goal of the Croatian President's first visit to Armenia, which will identify priorities and objectives of economic cooperation between the two countries, is the strengthening of inter-state relations and promoting scientific and educational and cultural relations.