ArmInfo. The ceasefire is the only tangible achievement in the process of resolving the  Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, which was the result of full-fledged  trilateral negotiations with the direct and full participation of one  of its main parties, the Republic of Artsakh. This is stated in the  comment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh  in connection with the 26th anniversary of the entry into force of  the Agreement on the cessation of hostilities.

As noted in the commentary, the path to an indefinite truce was not  easy. Previous attempts to put an end to the war were frustrated due  to the position of Azerbaijan, which, being confident in its  military-technical superiority, hoped for a forceful solution of the  conflict. Diplomatic success became possible only after the Artsakh  Defense Army repelled the armed aggression of Azerbaijan and ensured  the safe borders of the republic and thereby seriously undermined the  potential of Baku, aimed at resolving the conflict through military  force.

Another obstacle to the agreement on the establishment of an  indefinite truce was the unwillingness of Azerbaijan to conduct  direct negotiations with the Republic of Artsakh. However, after a  significant weakening of its military potential, the Azerbaijani  leadership not only ceased to hinder the full involvement of official  Stepanakert in the negotiation process, but also repeatedly initiated  direct contacts with the Artsakh authorities, including at the  highest level. Removing the main obstacle to direct negotiations  allowed us to concentrate on substantive issues and thereby lay the  foundation for subsequent diplomatic success – the establishment of  an unlimited ceasefire and military operations.

<It is difficult to overestimate the full significance of the  agreement of May 12, 1994, which allowed the Azerbaijani-Karabakh  conflict to become politico-diplomatic and create conditions so that  the parties, with the assistance of international mediators, could  focus their efforts directly on finding ways to finally resolve the  conflict through negotiations. Unfortunately, in subsequent years  this success was not succeeded, which was due to the return of  Azerbaijan to its previous policy of confrontation, threats and  refusal to negotiate with direct participation of Artsakh. The  agreement of May 12, 1994 demonstrates that success in the conflict  resolution process depends on two key conditions: the exclusion of  any illusions about the possibility of resolving the conflict by  force and the organization of full-fledged tripartite negotiations,  in which each of the parties to the conflict negotiates on its own  behalf and on On those issues, the Agreement of May 12, 1994  demonstrates that success in the conflict resolution process depends  on two key conditions: the exclusion of any illusions about the  possibility of a solution conflict through force and the organization  of full-fledged tripartite negotiations, in which each of the parties  to the conflict negotiates on its own behalf and on those issues that  fall within its competence. The Republic of Artsakh reaffirms its  commitment to a exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict and  is consistently making efforts to fully maintain the ceasefire, being  ready to decisively prevent any attempt by Azerbaijan to unleash  another aggression.  being ready to decisively prevent any attempt by  Azerbaijan to unleash another aggression>, the comment says.