A "Hetq" reporter asked President Sahakyan whether Karabakh settlement negotiations based on the Madrid Principles would in fact lead to territorial concessions. "Such questions often arise and are directed at me regarding how Artsakh pictures its future independence; whether within the territories of the old Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region or outside its borders. We see the future independence of the NKR as being outside those borders and it cannot be otherwise," stated the president. We should remind readers that President Sahakyan has adopted a fairly clear policy on the issue which has been mainly expressed in the liberated territories. On various occasions he has stated that "the independence and security of the Republic of Mountainous Karabakh is not subject to negotiation". At the same time, President Sahakyan has stressed that these territories were liberated in the early 1990’s and have been officially recognized in the NKR Constitution as constituting NKR territory, being classified as a "security zone". In his remarks, President Sahakyan noted that alongside the many losses and hardships during the past 18 years, the country has registered numerous achievements that have primarily come at the cost of those who gave their lives for the benefit of Artsakh. "The people of Artsakh understand this full well and today are directed by this understanding," he noted. President Sahakyan also touched upon the recent normalization protocols signed by Armenia and Turkey, saying that the process would show the international community which nation, in fact, sincerely wishes to realize such constructive relations. "Sadly, we are dealing with a country, Turkey, which still employs deceit as part of its political policy. We see how various Turkish officials are interpreting the protocols after having been signed. Of course, this isn’t an encouraging sign and that we shouldn’t expect the establishment of sincere and open relations. However, I believe, that the Armenian people will come out the winner in this process since Armenia’s intentions are sincere," commented President Sahakyan.