During an interview with "Hetq", Davit Ishkhanyan, a representative of the ARF's Artsakh Central Committee noted that the recently published statement of the International Crisis Group regarding the Karabakh conflict settlement was "one sided".

"That position neither reflects the interests of the Republic of Armenia nor that of the Republic of Mountainous Karabakh, or more correctly put, the interests of the worldwide Armenian people," stated Mr. Ishkhanyan. The ARF representative that the statement included a number of moot points and particularly singled out the, "hurried and quickened process that certain European institutions are attempting to foist on Armenia and Turkey in a drive to push the two into fomenting neighborly and diplomatic relations." "While of course not opposed to Armenian-Turkish relations, nevertheless it must be noted that Turkey should not set preconditions that are opposed by the government of Armenia and that our party has come out against. The Armenian government must specifically underline the fact that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide has no direct connection with the establishment of Armenian-Turkish relations," commented Mr. Ishkhanyan. As regards to the link between Armenia-Turkish relations and the Karabakh issue, Mr. Ishkhanyan is of the opinion that there is no just rationale to separate the two since the issue of establishing relations between Armenia and Turkey is directly linked to the issue of Artsakh. Mr. Ishkhanyan further noted that the diplomatic policies of Turkey and Azerbaijan are in sync and that the steps taken by both are predetermined. Thus, one of the keys to normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations lies in Artsakh. "In this context, we must put forth our specific viewpoint on the matter and it once more must be brought to the attention of the entire world," concluded the ARF official.