Stepanakert: For Azerbaijan,step-by-step settlement of the Karabakh  conflict is a step-by-step occupation of Artsakh

ArmInfo.For Azerbaijan, a step-by-step settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a step-by-step occupation of Artsakh. This was stated in a conversation with the correspondent of ArmInfo correspondent by the spokesman of the head of Artsakh Republic David Babayan.

According to him, the Karabakh conflict dates back to 1918. "Next  year will be 100 years since the beginning of the conflict. During  this time we have gone through many stages, and once again some stage  is short-sighted, and this will not contribute to a comprehensive  settlement of the conflict. Moreover, Azerbaijan has only one vision  of a gradual settlement: a step-by-step return of Nagorno-Karabakh to  the AR, a step-by-step occupation of Artsakh. This approach is flawed  and unrealistic. Well, if Baku really wants a real stage-by-stage  settlement of the conflict, let Artsakh's  independence be recognized  as the first stage. Although I have big doubts that Baku will take  this step, "Babayan said.

At the same time, the representative of the head of Artsakh expressed  the conviction that the settlement of the conflict is carried out in  two directions, the first is a legal and political settlement of the  issue, which requires a lot of effort and time, and the second -  parallel to this, the maintenance of peace and stability in the  region. In this connection, I consider the forthcoming meeting of the  Armenian and Azeri FMs important from the point of view of supporting  measures to strengthen peace and stability in the region, and to  continue the negotiation process for a comprehensive settlement of  the conflict, "Babayan concluded.

It should be noted that the Permanent Representation of Azerbaijan to  the OSCE at the 1163rd meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in  Vienna issued a statement in which it was noted that Baku expects the  OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to take practical steps to intensify  negotiations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. At  the same time, the Azerbaijani side accused Armenia of systematically  strengthening the status quo. "Such steps on the part of Armenia,  including armed provocations along the contact line of the troops,  undermine peace efforts." 

OSCE participating States must fulfill their obligations under the  relevant norms of international law with a view to preventing and  eliminating the illegal economic and other activities of their  physical and legal persons, where If they are genuinely interested in  finding a political solution to the conflict, then it should  participate constructively in the process of resolving the conflict  on the basis of dstavlennyh clear regulations, "- said the  Azerbaijani side. At the same time, Baku assured that there is no  alternative to the stage-by-stage version of the conflict settlement,  and it remains the best chance for peace.