Nalbandian: The Azerbaijani armed forces are characterized by the  handwriting of the Islamic State

ArmInfo.The Azeri armed forces are characterized by the handwriting of the terrorist group "Islamic State". This was stated on September 18 by the Minister of  Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian, speaking on the panel "Topical  Foreign Policy Challenges and Armenia-Diaspora Cooperation in  Reflecting" within the framework of the 6th Armenia-Diaspora Forum.

The minister recalled that in April 2016, Azerbaijani war criminals  killed and maimed the elderly, in the courtyard of the school they  killed a child, and Armenian servicemen were beheaded before the  cameras.  "This is the Azerbaijani armed forces, for which the  signature of the terrorist group "Islamic state" is characteristic.  Azerbaijan's barbarism, as in the first years of the war, and in  April, left no doubt - the struggle of the people of the  Nagorno-Karabakh Republic for independence was fair, both in the past  and the present," Edward Nalbandian stressed.

He also stressed the need for international recognition of the right  of the Artsakh people to realize the principle of self-determination.  "The Armenian side has repeatedly stated that it recognizes the  proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group as a basis for negotiations, while  Baku refutes them," Nalbandian said, stressing that there will not be  a settlement of the Karabakh conflict until Azerbaijan recognizes  international principles. "Instead of sticking to the constructive  channel, Baku continues to invent various fictions and make any  non-existent proposals to the Minsk mediators," the Armenian minister  noted, noting that sooner or later Baku's insinuations come out.

Against this background, the minister noted the full similarity of  the positions of the Armenian side and the international community.  At the same time, Nalbandian stressed, Baku continues to torpedo  negotiations and agreements reached. "Against this background, the  question arises whether it is worth negotiating at all, if Baku still  does not adhere to the agreements. The Armenian side's answer is one:  we are committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict through  dialogue, so we do not refuse meetings," Nalbandian said.  Nalbandian  also stated the need to return Artsakh to the negotiating table, and  this position, he said, is also shared by Minsk mediators. "The  solution of the conflict is not possible without Artsakh, Nagorno-  Karabakh can not be isolated from international processes only  because Azerbaijan wants it," the minister concluded.