ArmInfo. On July 12, having launched an attack on Armenia, Azerbaijan again made an attempt to impose unilateral concessions on Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan stated this in an interview with Sky News Arabia, referring to the reasons for the recent hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
"I think that we have demonstrated once again that there is only one way to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it is based on a stable compromise between all the parties involved - Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. The only obstacle to achieving progress in the negotiations is maximalism with which Azerbaijan approaches the issue of a peaceful settlement. The pronounced reasons for the current situation are the incessant aggressive, hostile, belligerent rhetoric of the Azerbaijani leadership against Armenia and the Armenian people, historical claims to Armenia and Artsakh, the use of force and the threat of the use of force, " noted the Armenian minister.
At the same time, he expressed his conviction that what happened once again clearly demonstrated that there is no military solution to this conflict, that the conflict can be resolved exclusively by peaceful means. Mnatsakanyal also added that the incident clearly demonstrated the defense capability of Armenia. "We remain committed to an exclusively peaceful settlement and will reject a military solution in the most firm and uncompromising manner," the chief diplomat of Armenia said.
To clarify why the clashes took place in the northeastern part of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Mnatsakanyan suggested that this was a miscalculation on the part of Azerbaijan, that perhaps they thought that the defense of Armenia was vulnerable in this particular area, and they could penetrate into the territory of Armenia on this segment.
At the same time, he expressed the conviction that the enemy was convinced that the defense capability of Armenia is strong everywhere, and that attempts to destabilize the situation, attempts to spread the conflict further beyond the borders of Nagorno-Karabakh and turn it into a full-scale war with Armenia were prevented in the most clear and decisive way.
Referring to Turkey's support for Azerbaijan, Mnatsakanyan noted that Yerevan was not surprised by the position of Turkey, which isa destabilizing factor not only in our region, but also in all neighboring regions. "We have witnessed similar manifestations of brute force, incursions and interventions in other neighboring regions, including the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East. This neo-Ottoman policy of Turkey extends to our region. We are closely monitoring such statements. One of the points in this statement concerns Turkey's "historical mission" in our region. We are forced to remind that this mission is a very sad and criminal mission that preserves the memory of the Armenian Genocide committed at the beginning of the last century, "the Armenian Foreign Minister said.
At the same time, he expressed his conviction that this is a demonstration of strength and power policy in the region, revealed their claims, the essence of their policy to sow instability in the South Caucasus region. "This extremely dangerous regional policy of Turkey in no way contributes to the peaceful settlement of the conflict and in no way contributes to sustainable stability in our region. This policy is in sharp contrast to the policy of other partners and neighbors, who have shown great balance and prudence, realizing that there can be no peace at the expense of someone from the countries of the region. So the one-sided approach of Turkey, the policy of kinship with Azerbaijan feeds instability, "the Armenian minister said. To clarify whether Armenia will apply for any international and other military assistance, Mnatsakanyan stressed that Armenia has the means for defense.
"Armenia also cooperates with other members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Armenia cooperates with many other partners. Armenia also cooperates with NATO. Armenia is a country that strives for stability and rejects any military solution, any military way of conducting politics in our region. We We will resolutely reject such a policy both on the diplomatic front and politically, and we will certainly be ready for defense, but any expansion of instability by military means, as well as the search for military solutions will have catastrophic consequences for the entire region demonstrates an extremely unconstructive and dangerous policy of Turkey, "the diplomat stated.
Speaking about the role of Russia in the settlement, he noted. That a peaceful settlement is the highest priority and it is being carried out within the internationally recognized format of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship, which includes France, the United States and Russia.
"Russia is working very constructively with two other countries to find a solution based on a compromise that is acceptable to all interested parties - Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. As for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, we are fully committed to a solution based on a compromise and carefully thought out taking into account the interests of security, the priorities of all parties, and Russia is very attentive in its policy of seeking exclusively peaceful solutions.We highly welcome this policy and will continue to work with Russia as well as with other OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs France and the United States, for achieving an exclusively peaceful solution. War is not an alternative. It is a catastrophe for the entire region. We completely and categorically reject any military solution, any outbreak of hostilities or war in our region. This is our policy, "the Armenian Foreign Minister concluded.