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Sergei Lavrov: The principles of self-determination and territorial integrity can not prevail over each other

22 January 2010 11:12 (UTC +04:00)

The only attempt to realize the principle of self-determination within the framework of the principle of territorial integrity was in the UN declaration adopted in 1970,â€ said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the press conference while answering the APA Moscow correspondentâ€™s question.

Lavrov commented on the essence of the document:
â€œI do not want to cite the document in the legal language. But the essence of the document is that the respect for the stateâ€™s territorial integrity comprises the commitment of the stateâ€™s authorities to ensure the rights of all nations living in its territory, including the right to self-determination and solve all these problems peacefully. But if the state uses force for this, then the principle of territorial integrity is questionable. By the way, it is a splendid example how Mikhail Saakashvili solved the problem of peopleâ€™s self-determination with respect to the nations living in Georgia. Therefore my answer is simple â€“ none of these principles can prevail over each other,â€ he said.

Sergei Lavrov had said during his press conference in Yerevan: â€œRussia supporting the solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict together with the other OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs wants nothing but the agreement that will meet the interests of Armenian and Azerbaijani people.â€ APA reports quoting Novosti-Armenia that to the question â€œCan Russiaâ€™s energy cooperation with Turkey be more important than the right of self-determination of Nagorno Karabakhâ€™s people?â€ Lavrov said:
â€œSimply it cannot be. When we say that the co-chairs are trying to help the presidents of the two countries to agree on the principles, on which the further settlement will be based, it means that these principles will lay the foundation of the ceasefire agreement covering the legal commitments. We consider that the position of the Karabakh people must be taken into consideration in the preparation of the agreement. It should be agreed and specified in what forms it will be done,â€ he said.