Friday, September 6 2019 16:03

ArmInfo.Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan denies the existence of serious contradictions with the Artsakh authorities.

Thus, on September 6 at a press conference in Yerevan, answering the  corresponding question, Mnatsakanyan assured that it would be strange  if the parties had completely similar views or positions. "It's  perfectly normal to have discrepancies. Everyone has them. If there  are contacts, there may be disagreements. Do not dramatize them or  imagine them as a crisis. I rule out drama. We have developed an  active dialogue with the Artsakh authorities, especially regarding  the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, "the RA Foreign Minister stated. In  this context, he recalled the numerous meeting with Karabakh  colleagues, an active dialogue with the Artsakh authorities at all  levels.

According to the minister, all these meetings are aimed at  discussions and consultations to find ways to resolve the conflict,  as well as dialogue and comparison of goals that pursue one goal - to  move forward. "I understand that the fourth power is interested in  conflicts and disagreements. But I don't think there is a crisis or  an occasion to talk about it, "the minister said.

Commenting on the statement of the Prime Minister of Armenia in  Stepanakert that "Artsakh is Armenia and that's final!," Mnatsakanyan  recalled a statement by the Foreign Ministry on August 6, in which  everything is clearly explained. According to him, any statement must  be considered in the context of what has been said and emphasis. "The  prime minister spoke about the priorities of Armenians, unity and  development, common goals. I would like to emphasize once again that  there is no alternative to a peaceful settlement for the Armenian  side," the head of the Armenian foreign ministry said.

Touching upon the situation on the front line, he noted that there is  a significant difference between the current situation and the  previous one, and this is a consequence of the Dushanbe agreements.  "It is necessary to reduce the risks of escalation. This is not the  only but necessary goal to create an atmosphere conducive to peace.  Direct operational communication, as an effective tool, serves the  same purpose. We strive for more, to further strengthen what has been  achieved, including strengthening contacts, improving the quality of  monitoring, introducing even more effective tools, "said the Foreign  Minister.

Answering a question about a meeting with his Azerbaijani  counterpart, Mnatsakanyan noted that it is expected in the near  future. "The meeting is planned. It is planned soon. But there is an  agreement to report it simultaneously, and I do not want to violate  the agreement of the foreign ministers and co-chairs," the Armenian  foreign minister said.

Speaking about the absence of a document on the negotiating table,  the minister noted that the purpose of the negotiations was to  discuss numerous parameters and a potential settlement. "The absence  of a document on the negotiating table does not indicate the absence  of the negotiations themselves. Since the process has existed for a  long time, numerous parameters have been formed that together can  become a solution. Our goal is to compare them and achieve  proportionality. Neither side can be guided by a maximalist approach.  On the other hand, great resources are being put in to solve,  evaluate and find approaches'', concluded Mnatsakanyan, adding that  the existing format is the best.