Stepanakert does not see alternative to OSCE Minsk Group in  settlement of Karabakh conflict

ArmInfo.The process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group is now in the so-called frozen phase, but no one has abolished that institution. On June 20, at the  presentation of the book "The Karabakh conflict and the foreign  policy of the Republic of Artsakh", NKR Foreign Minister David  Babayan stated this, referring to the future of the OSCE Minsk Group.

In this vein, he recalled that in order to dissolve the OSCE Minsk  Group, it is necessary to convene a summit, to reach a consensus,  otherwise the format will continue to operate.

He drew attention to the fact that, due to the tension between the  West and Russia today, work within the framework of the format is  frozen, but no one has canceled the format, and each co-chairing  country individually is trying to fulfill its functions, and  especially Russia, which also carries out a peacekeeping mission in  Nagorno-Karabakh.

"France, the United States also come up with various initiatives from  time to time. Let's wait and see what happens next. I don't think  they will dissolve the format," Babayan said, assuming that the  format will continue to be frozen for some time.

According to him, the latest statement of the Russian side also  mentions the format of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Regarding the prospect of replacing the OSCE MG format with the  Tbilisi format, Babayan stressed that there is no alternative to the  trio of co-chairs. " We are grateful to the former President of  Georgia for the offer, for the fact that he is worried about the  future of the region, but we think that there is no alternative to  the OSCE Minsk Group so far. We understand that some new platforms  may be created, but not for the settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh  conflict, but for dialogue in the region. If there is a dialogue,  including with the participation of Tbilisi, to maintain it in the  region, then why not, but it will be a parallel process," he  concluded.

It should be noted that on April 8, the head of the Russian Foreign  Ministry, in connection with the Brussels meeting of the leaders of  Armenia and Azerbaijan, mediated by the EU, accused the EU of using  the Karabakh issue to promote its Russophobic line. He also noted  that he does not know what the future of the OSCE Minsk Group will  be, since the West has cut off contact with Moscow in this format,  against the backdrop of the situation around Ukraine.

Then, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry,  Maria Zakharova, informed that on February 24, Washington and Paris  have suspended all contacts with Moscow within the framework of the  "troika" of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. "Meanwhile, the real  situation in the South Caucasus does not allow for pauses in  negotiations. Further consistent steps are required to restore  long-term peace and stability in the region, since the US and France  have ceased cooperation as co-chairs," Zakharova said

In this regard, she continued, Ambassador-at-Large Igor Khovaev will  continue his work in a new capacity, namely, Special Representative  of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on  promoting the normalization of relations between the Republic of  Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia.