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.