SERZH SARGSIAN, "ARMENIAN SIDE IS READY TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS OVER KARABAKH CONFLICT REGULATION ON THE BASIS OF "MADRID" PRINCIPLES"

ARMENPRESS
JULY 21

"I have a conviction that through peaceful negotiations it is possible
to reach settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Having met with
the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev once, I have an impression
that the ways of peaceful regulation of the conflict have not yet been
exhausted. I have got such an impression that President Aliyev is ready
to continue the negotiations," President Serzh Sargsian said today
at a press conference called to sum up the 100 days of his presidency.

Referring to the complaints voiced by the Azerbaijani side connected
with the work of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen, the president noted
that if Azerbaijanis are complaining of the co-chairs the Armenian
side may be calm. "I think that these are small cunnings – to complain
of the co-chairs so that the latter be more smooth with Azerbaijan
or try to satisfy their demands. I do not think that it promotes the
negotiations. We are ready to continue the process over the "Madrid"
principles and consider that the OSCE Minsk Group and co-chairmanship
is the format which may bring to success," Serzh Sargsian said.

In response to the Azerbaijani military rhetoric, the president said
that until the peace treaty is not signed at least two officials of
the country – the president of the republic and defense minister must
consider that tomorrow the military activities may start and efforts
must always be exerted in that direction.

"We are exerting these efforts, our strongest argument is our army,
armed forces and we will spare no effort to have an effective armed
forces," Serzh Sargsian said, reconfirming that his position over
Nagorno Karabakh issue is the same as it was in 1993-1995. "No serious
changes have occurred in my position and it will be the same for a
very ling time," the Armenian president said.