July 12
Yerevan
Marianna Mkrtchyan. France, as one of the countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group, at the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels, reaffirmed the commitment to fulfill the commitments undertaken to facilitate the search for ways to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lacote stated at a press conference in Yerevan on July 12, commenting on the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan Zorab Mnatsakanyan and Elmar Mammadyarov in Brussels.
The Ambassador noted that it was an expected meeting. " There can be no military solution to Karabakh conflict, and only peaceful negotiations can lead to resolution," the Ambassador said. The French President and Armenian Prime Minister emphasized this stand on yesterday meeting, the Ambassador said. At the same time, Lacote stated that Paris positively assesses the statements made by the Armenian side at various levels about the desire to settle the conflict peacefully through negotiations. The diplomat also added that he is well aware of the influence the unresolved conflict makes on Armenian society. Answering the question about France's position on Pashinyan's statement that Artsakh should be included in the negotiation process, Lacote noted that France welcomes any initiatives that will lead to progress in the negotiations, but on the issue of format, a consensus should be reached between all participants in the process.
To note, on July 11, a meeting between Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov was held in Brussels. This was the first meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries after the change of power and forming of a new government in Armenia as a result of democratic movement. Foreign Minister of Armenia thanked the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs for organizing the meeting and underscored the importance of the peace process under their aegis and the need of maintaining the negotiation dynamics. The meeting was of familiarizing nature and was aimed at getting to know each other's viewpoints. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan underlined that the negotiation process has no alternative and in this context highlighted the importance of steps aimed at creating environment conducive to peace, building confidence, reducing tensions, as well as strict adherence to the ceasefire and the cessation of aggressive rhetoric. He emphasized that realistic and constructive engagement of all sides of the conflict is of primary importance for the success of the efforts aimed at achieving a lasting peace. The interlocutors exchanged views on the issues related to Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement negotiation process. The Co-Chairs presented their upcoming plans to the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Further steps were touched upon.