Robert Kocharyan:  The April war must toughen and not weaken  Armenia`s approaches to Karabakh peace process  

ArmInfo. Judging by the  statements of the conflict parties' officials and multiple  publications in the government-controlled media, the parties have  asymmetric readiness for concessions, said Armenia's second President  Robert Kocharyan in his exclusive interview to RFE/RL Armenian  Service (Azatutyun.am), when commenting on the rumors about  Nagorno-Karabakh's status in exchange for territories.  

"The Armenian side's readiness is greatly emphasized, but in  Azerbaijan there isn't even a hint for a concession in the issues of  principal importance for us. This situation angers the public in  Armenia and Karabakh, causes negative expectations from the  negotiations, and can become a reason for defeatist sentiments,"  Robert Kocharyan said.  In his words, during 10 years of his  presidency, the sides were really close to the settlement of the  conflict only once in Key West, but Azerbaijan failed the process  refusing to sign the package and comprehensive settlement scheme that  implied NKR's unification with Armenia, return of the territories and  a range of security measures. 

As for the Madrid Principles, they emerged later and were not  designed for signing, Robert Kocharyan said.  He explained that the  Madrid Principles were a basis for the future agreement. 

"It is evident that Madrid principles in their original state don't  comply with the new reality anymore and need to be reviewed. The  first revision should concern consolidation of security guarantees,  clarification of referendum terms with return of territories attached  to it. For instance, this is what could be the integral part of an  agreement: restoration of military balance, strict and controlled  obligations for the parties and the international community to  maintain that balance for at least 25 years," Kocharyan said.  At the  same time, the second president of Armenia is sure that the  independence of NKR and a common border with Armenia cannot be a  subject for bargaining. 

"The April war must toughen and not weaken Armenia's approach to the  settlement, as there are more risks of future concessions," he said. 

Robert Kocharyan stressed the need for security guarantees and links  the referendum and return of the territories under control of  Karabakh.  "Considering the zero level of mutual confidence, it is  necessary to rule out any uncertainty or free interpretation of any  point of the future agreement," Robert Kocharyan said. 

"Today we see that a number of unfavorable factors are accumulating,  which gives rise to serious concerns. The disturbance of military  balance because of the sale of Russian weapons, unpleasant  resolutions and reports of international organizations on the  Karabakh issue, formation of a new format of regional cooperation  upon the initiative of Azerbaijan, the creation of the North-South  Transport Corridor that bypasses Armenia: All these processes with  their geopolitical consequences will have a lasting negative impact  on the country's economy and its weight and influence in regional and  international affairs, as well as on our resources to have our say in  the talks over Karabakh. The authorities should be able to analyze  the causes of all those processes and find a practical solution to  counter the existing challenges. By the way, we do not have much time  to handle the situation,' the second president said for conclusion.