On October 19, 2004, the CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program Caucasus Initiative hosted a seminar with the chief foreign affairs representative of Nagorno Karabakh, Ashot Ghoulian. The seminar was moderated by Dr. Cory Welt.
Ghoulian emphasized that resolving the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is critical for achieving stability in the South Caucasus. He acknowledged U.S. policymakers’ concerns about instability in the region but asserted that Nagorno Karabagh seeks to establish normal relations with Azerbaijan as an independent state—not as part of Azerbaijan. Ghoulian also clarified in discussion that while unification with Armenia remains a “final” goal for Nagorno Karabagh, independence is a more realistic objective. Ghoulian also observed that the idea of a “common state” unifying Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabagh in a confederation is no longer a feasible one.