Armenia is ready to resume the Karabakh peace process on the basis of well-known principles, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
“The Republic of Armenia has repeatedly stated at the highest level that it is ready to resume the process of peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of known principles, namely, non-use of force or threat of force, equality of peoples, right to self-determination and territorial integrity. Following the signing of the tripartite statement on 9 November, the Minsk Group Co-Chairs have issued a number of statements. The Armenian side has welcomed the statements, considering them a roadmap for peace in the region,” Mirzoyan said.
He stressed that Azerbaijan’s failure to meets its commitments under the November 9 trilateral statement do not contribute to the establishment of an atmosphere conducive to lasting, lasting peace in the region.
He pointed to the failure to release all Armenian prisoners, Azerbaijan’s intrusion into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the false territorial aspirations towards Armenia.
“The Armenian side will consistently advance the realization of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination, to live freely and with dignity in their Homeland,” the Foreign Minister emphasized.
Mirzoyan said that there are no negotiations on demarcation. Negotiations are currently underway, the results of which will show the level of official Baku's ability to reach an agreement, as well as its readiness to abandon the policy of initiating an artificial agenda in gross violation of the norms of international law and principles. If Azerbaijan takes a constructive position, withdraws its troops from the sovereign territory of Armenia, that is, returns to the positions as of May 11 this year, then favorable conditions will be created to start the process of demarcation.
Armenia’s Foreign Minister noted that the mentioned negotiations are being held with the direct participation of the Russian side.
To the question whether the possibility of holding a trilateral summit between the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan is being worked out, Mirzoyan answered that peace and stability in the region are our long-term strategy. We welcome Russia's mediation efforts in this regard, including the resumption of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.
“It is obvious to everyone that the use of force can in no way be a settlement of the conflict, the final, comprehensive, lasting solution of which must be based on the principles of elements known to the parties developed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. And this is the position not only of Armenia, but also of Russia, France and the United States, which are in the common dimension of co-chairmanship. That is the position of the international community,” Mirzoyan stated.
