ArmInfo. The development of economic cooperation between states is possible only in a secure environment, but in Eurasia there are regions in conflict and where the restoration of a lasting peace requires enormous efforts. This was stated by Ara Babloyan, Chairman of the National Assembly of Armenia, at the second meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of Eurasia "Development of Interparliamentary Cooperation in the Interests of the Common Welfare of the Countries of the Eurasian Region" on June 27.
At the same time, he noted that the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continues to be one of the most important issues in our region. He recalled that the only format that has an international mandate for the settlement of the Karabakh problem is the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group.
"According to the statements of the presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group, the conflict must be resolved on the basis of the principles of international law, in particular, the right of peoples to self-determination, the non-use of force or the threat of its use and territorial integrity, which along with elements of the conflict settlement are consistently presented by the co-chairing countries as a single indivisible whole. The proposal of the co-chairs also provides for the determination in the future of the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh through the legally binding expression of the will of its population - the referendum of the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan consistently disrupts the process of peaceful settlement, refusing to recognize the right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination, "Babloyan said.
The Armenian parliamentarian also referred to the constitutional reforms in Armenia, and said that in seeking to strengthen democratic principles in Armenia in 2015, the process of constitutional reforms was initiated, as a result of which the transition to the parliamentary system of government has already started. On April 2 of this year, parliamentary elections took place in Armenia. They were marked by the presence of an unprecedented number of international observers who stated that the elections were well organized, basic freedoms were respected, and the results of these elections reflect the will of the people. The desire for peace, sustainable development and prosperity meets the aspirations of our peoples. The great Chinese thinker Confucius said that when the paths are not the same, they do not make up plans together. In our case, we all should equally strive for peace, prosperity and cooperation. I want to express my hope that this format will not only lie at the base of mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries and parliaments, but will also promote the establishment of interpersonal contacts, "Babloyan concluded.