Negotiation and Settlement in Nagorno-Karabak: Maintaining Territorial Integrity or Promoting Self-Determination?

Authors

Argam DerHartunian

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The little-known region of Nagorno-Karabakh, known to Armenians as Artsakh, has been no stranger to conflict. This land, nestled in the historic "Armenian Plateau," has been ruled by many different dynasties and seen the faces of many different ethnicities and cultures. Today, both Armenians and Azeris claim an absolute historic right to Nagorno-Karabakh, periodically fighting over the region. Although the intense fighting ended in 1994, negotiation efforts regarding the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh remain stalemated. This has caused the leaders of Karabakh to declare the region an independent republic, although no state, including Armenia, has recognized this status. This article will attempt to trace the origins of the region, and most notably outline the recent conflict which erupted in 1991 continuing with the negotiation and settlement attempts after the 1994 cease-fire agreement. Furthermore, this article will humbly try to analyze the causes of the conflict and suggest new mediation methods that might lead to a fair and just agreement to this conflict. The first objective will be to trace the history of the conflict while outlining the current status of the conflict and the parties involved. The second objective will be to summarize and analyze past mediation efforts. Finally, this article will attempt to suggest an equitable means to achieve a remedy to the conflict.

Recommended Citation

Argam DerHartunian, Negotiation and Settlement in Nagorno-Karabak: Maintaining Territorial Integrity or Promoting Self-Determination? , 7 Pepp. Disp. Resol. L.J. Iss. 2 (2007)
Available at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/drlj/vol7/iss2/6