ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT HAS NO ALTERNATIVE

ArmInfo
2010-01-14 15:25:00

ArmInfo. There is no alternative to peaceful settlement of the Karabakh
conflict, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian said at a
joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in
Yerevan on Thursday.

The minister disagreed with the opinion that the negotiations are
stagnating. Quite on the contrary, he said, last year negotiations had
positive dynamics thanks to the active meetings of the two presidents.

Edward Nalbandian said that the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents
met 9 times last year, including 6 meetings were bilateral. He also
highlighted the statement on the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh
conflict adopted in Athens at the OSCE Ministerial Council. The
principle of peaceful resolution of the conflict is one of the
major ones alongside with the principles of the people’s right to
self-determination and territorial integrity, he said. "Armenia is for
peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. We have been constantly
declaring this and have never made any threats. There is no alternative
to the peaceful settlement," the minister said. As regards "stagnation"
of the negotiations, Edward Nalbandian said such an impression maybe
connected with the natural pause in connection with the New Year and
Christmas holidays. The minister said the process maybe reactivated
soon. In case of further positive dynamics in 2010, this will help
shifting settlement of the problem, the minister said.