Tatevik Hayrapetyan, a member of ‘My Step’ faction, during a question-and-answer session with members of the Government at the National Assembly, asked the Foreign Minister what his position was on the Co-Chairs’ statement that they were ready to mediate the resumption of political dialogue.
Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian noted that Co-Chairs clearly emphasize in the statement that it is time to pay attention to the final, comprehensive, stable settlement of the conflict based on the known principles.
“Armenia's principled position has been repeatedly stated that only a negotiated political settlement, which will take into account the rights of all, determine the status of Artsakh based on the exercise of the right to self-determination, can be considered a final settlement of the conflict. The Co-Chairs state that not all provisions of the trilateral statement have been implemented. They call for steps to be taken within the framework of humanitarian law for the immediate repatriation of captives and other detainees, the unimpeded access of humanitarian organizations to Artsakh, and the protection of religious and cultural heritage. This is another call to Azerbaijan through the international community, this time through the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, to fulfill its commitments, international obligations in accordance with the November 9 trilateral statement, to renounce destructive positions that could jeopardize the full implementation of the November 9 agreement,” the Minister said.
Aivazian also stated that the Co-chairs call for an immediate start of high-level consultations.
“Armenia has never avoided meetings, but in order for those meetings to take place, a clear agenda must be created. Azerbaijan, with its belligerent, destructive, anti-Armenian statements, hinders the formation of such an atmosphere. I believe that the co-chairmanship can contribute to the formation of that atmosphere of trust, to target one of the parties, in this case Azerbaijan, to refrain from anti-Armenian hostile propaganda and actions,” Aivazian said.
