ArmInfo.Undoubtedly, the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict is the highest priority of Armenia's foreign policy. This was announced on October 19 during his speech at the fourth assembly of Armenia. He reminded that three days ago in Geneva the meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan was held.
"As for the results of the meeting itself, they are reflected in the joint statement of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and the Council of Europe. The meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere. The presidents agreed to take measures on public relations. Satisfied with the resumption of direct talks after the end of the break. They expressed their readiness to continue the mediation mission with a term in the direction of entering a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Next year we will have full access to information about us.
At the same time, the minister recalled that the Armenian side constantly stands for resolving the conflict through negotiations and reducing tension, and this is all reflected in the joint statement. According to him, after a 16-month break, thanks to the competent mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, it was possible to organize a meeting of the presidents of the two countries, which in itself can already be considered positive.
According to Nalbandian, for the first time in about 4 years it became possible to adopt a joint statement with the participation of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the mediators. At the same time, he added that Armenia has repeatedly expressed its readiness to join the statement of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, however, Azerbaijan constantly refuses to make a joint statement. "At the same time, unfortunately, after the summit of presidents, Baku again and again tries to resort to cheap and primitive speculation that, supposedly, there was an agreement not to talk about settling the conflict." Baku is probably sticking to this tactic in order to avoid responsibility for its own destructive policy. First, the damage caused to the negotiation process by last April's aggression of Azerbaijan towards Artsakh has not yet been eliminated, and secondly, Baku refuses to carry out Vienna and St. Petersburg which are aimed at creating the appropriate conditions for the promotion of the negotiation process," the Armenian Foreign Minister said and added that Azerbaijan had previously repeatedly abandoned the agreements reached, thereby questioning the ability to fulfill them at all.
Thirdly, according to Nalbandian, Azerbaijan refuses to confirm the principles of the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, presented by the countries as co-chairmen as the basis for the settlement of the problem, in particular, non-use of force, the right of peoples to self-determination and territorial integrity. "Fourthly, despite the numerous appeals of the mediators, to respect the trilateral ceasefire agreements of 1994-95, Baku continues to flagrantly violate the ceasefire." Yes, Armenia is convinced that it is necessary to conduct intensive negotiations. "We are deeply convinced that if Baku executes calls for mediators, fulfills the agreements reached earlier, confirms adherence to the principles of the conflict settlement proposed by the mediators, makes a constructive contribution to the negotiation process, it will become possible to promote the peaceful process", said the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry. At the same time, he added that Armenia, along with the countries of the mediators, will continue to make efforts for an exceptionally peaceful settlement of the conflict.
He also cited the provision of the European Council convention adopted in 1999, which states that Nagorno-Karabakh proclaimed its independence, as well as all other Soviet republics. "Of course, Nagorno- Karabakh has never been part of independent Azerbaijan, as President Serzh Sargsyan repeatedly noted, and it can never be," Nalbandian concluded.