RA Foreign Minister: The only platform for the settlement of the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the format of the OSCE Minsk Group  co-chairs

ArmInfo. The principled position of Armenia is known, it has been repeatedly expressed and is that only a political settlement through negotiations, which will take into account the rights of all and determine the status of Artsakh on the basis of the  exercise of the right to self-determination, can be considered the  final settlement of the conflict. RA Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian  stated this, answering the questions of lawmakers.

According to the minister, in their recent statement, the co-chairs  (OSCE Minsk Group) made it clear that it is time to focus on a final,  comprehensive and lasting settlement of the conflict based on the  principles and elements known to the parties.

Secondly, as the Foreign Minister noted, the co-chairs stated that  not all provisions of the trilateral declaration of November 9 were  fulfilled and called on Azerbaijan to immediately repatriate those  detained for humanitarian reasons, unhindered access for  international humanitarian organizations in Artsakh and to protect  the cultural and religious heritage of the region. This, according to  Aivazian, is another international call to Azerbaijan to fulfill its  international obligations and obligations within the framework of the  Tripartite Declaration of November 9, to abandon the destructive  position that could threaten the completeness of the November  declaration and its implementation.

Thirdly, Aivazian noted, the co-chairs call for the immediate start  of high-level consultations. "I want to emphasize that Armenia has  never avoided meetings, but in order for these meetings to take  place, first of all, it is necessary to create conditions for minimal  trust, as well as formulate a clear agenda," the head of the RA  Foreign Ministry emphasized.

He noted that Azerbaijan, with its belligerent, destructive,  anti-Armenian statements and position, prevents the formation of such  an atmosphere of trust. According to him, the efforts of the  co-chairmanship can contribute to the formation of this atmosphere of  trust, addressing purposefully one of the parties, in this case to  Azerbaijan, which should refrain from hostile anti-Armenian  propaganda.  "We have regular contacts with representatives of the  co-chairing countries at a high level and at the level of  ambassadors. Contacts continue. I can confirm that Armenia is ready  to receive the co-chairs within the framework of the established  practice of regional visits>, Aivazian said.

Answering the question of MP Shirak Torosyan about Turkey's  initiative to create a new platform for dialogue on the scale of  regional states: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, Georgia and  Armenia, Aivazian stressed that the Armenian side has clearly voiced  that the only platform for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict is  the format of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and that other ideas  that are voiced from different sides are unacceptable for it.

"A lot of work has been done, and we expect that the work will  continue at the same pace. Regarding the various platforms, I must  reiterate that Armenia has always advocated regional cooperation that  would contribute to the creation of an atmosphere of trust, which  would ultimately bring stability and security to the region. It is  not our fault that these platforms and regional cooperation did not  take place. Today, unfortunately, we see that the atmosphere of trust  is sorely lacking. We hope to overcome this situation, "the RA  Foreign Minister noted.