ArmInfo.Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan has responded to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's statement on his readiness for a direct dialogue with representatives of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR).
"I welcome the Azerbaijani president's willingness to start a direct dialogue with Artsakh. Artsakh must be an entity in this process," Mr Vardanyan said.
Interestingly, President Aliyev is ready for a dialogue with Artsakh representatives, as Ruben Vardanyan is, according to him, "external forces' protege."
"I also welcome the new format of internationally mediated direct negotiations. Along with Russia and the USA, France must be involved as an international mediator as well, as its Senate approved a resolution containing a point on recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh. France is also OSCE Minsk Group co-chair," Mr Vardanyan said.
He proposes a more constructive tone and explanations for "a clear agenda", which, according to President Aliyev "is at my disposal."
"I have repeatedly stated I have renounced my Russian citizenship to prevent accusations that I am allegedly serving someone else's interests in Artsakh besides the interests of Artsakh itself. I think I fully meet the criterion for negotiator laid down by Mr Aliyev: 'he is living in Karabakh and want to live there.'"
"War will always boomerang. Sometimes it may happen even after several generations. Today's aggression is a time-bomb for the future generations of our peoples. So the leaders of both parties must assume full responsibility and, however hard it is, sit down at the negotiating table and put an end to bloodshed," Mr Vardanyan said.