The OSCE Minsk Group's statement on the Karabakh conflict has demonstrated that Azerbaijan's policy on oil and gas blackmailing has failed, Armen Ashotyan, Armenian Minister of Education and Science, Deputy Head of the Republican Party of Armenia, told journalists on Wednesday.
He pointed out that the stability in the region is of great significance and that the OSCE Minsk Group's statement is a signal on the threshold of the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, especially given the Freedom House's disappointing conclusions on the situation in Azerbaijan.
The joint statement by the Presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries says: "We, the Presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries - France, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America - remain committed to helping the parties to the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict reach a lasting and peaceful settlement. We express our deep regret that, rather than trying to find a solution based upon mutual interests, the parties have continued to seek one-sided advantage in the negotiation process. We continue to firmly believe that the elements outlined in the statements of our countries over the last four years must be the foundation of any fair and lasting settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. These elements should be seen as an integrated whole, as any attempt to select some elements over others would make it impossible to achieve a balanced solution".