Repopulation and higher birth to make liberated lands stronger - expert

To strengthen the liberated territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh [Artsakh] two important factors are necessary – repopulation and an increased birthrate, according to Narek Galstyan, a political analyst.
As he told reporters on Saturday, Armenia and Azerbaijan have conflicting views on the repopulation issue.
"The two sides have conflicting approaches to repopulation. Particularly, the Azerbaijani authorities recently issued a statement, focusing the world community's attention on the question whether Nagorno-Karabakh is in the middle of a repopulation process. But it is necessary to note that the eastern part of Karabakh is occupied by Azerbaijan, and it too, it being populated by ethnic minorities," he said.
Galstyan referred to Azerbaijan's earlier statement that the country is not implementing organized policies aimed at repopulation.
According to him, the mutual concessions proposed by Armenia in the current peace talks make the process more complicated.
"Azerbaijan keeps speculating the issue of the territories' return. But no territory is returned just for nothing. That has to have a serious justification. A territory is a national potential. That's a vital interest, so it is necessary to build a state based on that principle. There's no need to think about the return of the territories. It is important to realize that there is a strategic interest in which territory plays a primary role," he said, adding that a defeating country should not be urged to cede a territory.
Speaking of the negotiation over Karabakh, he said any changes will be possible provided Karabakh is involved the process.
"Stepanakert's participation in the talks will clarify the framework of the issues subject or not subject to discussion. The decisions confirmed by the two countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan, may make no sense without Stepanakert," he added.   Read more... (290 words)

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