First meeting of discussion club in Stepanakert

Representatives of political forces of Nagorny Karabakh first met at a "round table" to discuss the Karabakh problem settlement. Opinions expressed about the format of the talks, their principles, as well as about the relations between Armenia and Nagorny Karabakh, varied considerably.

Politicians in the Republic of Nagorny Karabakh believe the negotiation process should be resumed, with Karabakh being its obligatory participant and the Republic of Nagorny Karabakh being recognized as a part in the conflict.

If the negotiations are conducted between Azerbaijan and Karabakh, then the matter concerns the self-determination of the Karabakh people, who do not want to live as a part of Azerbaijan, and it moves the conflict to the level of the international law and forces the international community to choose between the democratic values and the principle of territorial integrity. If the negotiations are conducted between Baku and Yerevan, then the matter lies in the political field and the world community bends its efforts to make Armenia withdraw its forces from the other country's territory.

This "round table" discussion was possibly the one when the question of relations between Armenia and Nagorny Karabakh was first brought up so acutely. Leader of the Karabakh communists Grant Melkumian thinks it is time for the political forces of Armenia and Nagorny Karabakh to work out a joint policy concerning Karabakh and a concrete program for its social and economic development.