RA PRESIDENT: BAKU TRIES TO FORCE MG TO RETREAT FROM ITS POSITIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.07.2008 16:57 GMT+04:00

A peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict may be achieved
via talks, Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan told a news conference
today.

"Potential for a peaceful solution has not been exhausted yet. During
a meeting in Saint Petersburg, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
demonstrated willingness to continue talks," he said.

Commenting on Baku’s discontent with the talks, President Sargsyan
said, "There is nothing to worry about as long as Baku slams the
Minsk Group activities. Resorting to tricks, Baku tries to force the
MG to retreat from its positions and satisfy Azeri claims. However,
it hampers the negotiation process."

As to Azerbaijan’s threats to resolve the conflict with the use
of force, Mr Sargsyan said that at least two officials in the
country – the President and Defense Minister – should be ready for
hostilities. "I will spare no effort for development of our armed
forces," he said.

Asked about the recent visit of Russia’s President Medvedev to Baku
and about the Russian-Azeri Declaration, the RA President said he
doesn’t see problems in development of relations between Russia and
Azerbaijan. "The most important thing is that they should not develop
at expense of the Armenian-Russian relations," he said.

"I fully disagree with the opinion that recognition of
Azerbaijani territorial integrity by Medvedev is the failure of
the Armenian foreign policy. Every President should recognize both
territorial integrity of any country and the right of nations to
self-determination," President Sargsyan said.