ArmInfo.The issue of ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and the sovereignty of Armenia are a priority for Armenia in the negotiation process. Chairman of the parliamentary commission on foreign relations, MP from the ruling "Civil Contract" faction Sargis Khandanyan stated during a briefing for journalists. He stressed that the Armenian side will continue to adhere to this position.
He noted that if the positions of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the draft peace treaty were similar, the document would have been signed long ago. "The purpose of the talks is precisely to bring positions closer," the parliamentarian said.
Khandanyan recalled that the issue of ensuring the rights and security of the people of Artsakh is being raised and discussed at all negotiation platforms, and negotiations in Washington are no exception.
In addition, the issue of withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from the sovereign territory of Armenia is on the agenda. "Our task is to increase international pressure on Azerbaijan so that their troops leave our territory. This will be a good basis for signing a peace treaty," he said. The parliamentarian did not comment on the results of the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, noting that it is necessary to wait for their completion.
When asked whether the process of self-determination of Artsakh will be the subject of negotiations, Khandanyan noted that for several months this issue has been discussed in the domestic political field, including Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly spoken about this. However, the MP stressed that today it is necessary to solve an urgent problem, namely- ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Artsakh. "We need to move forward in this direction," he said.
It should be noted that since April 30, under the auspices of Washington, negotiations have been held in the United States around a draft peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Their final round is scheduled for today