Mediamax, Armenia
July 11 2009
Armenian minister supports published principles of Karabakh settlement
Yerevan, 11 July: US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg has
expressed hope in Yerevan today that the negotiations between the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents that are scheduled to be held in
Moscow on 17 July will be effective.
Asked by Mediamax news agency, the US diplomat said that his meetings
with the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents showed that the sides are
in a constructive mood and they are seeking to move ahead.
Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandyan has commented on the
publication of the main principles of the Madrid proposals and the
OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries’ statement made at the G8 summit
in Italy. He said that the sides are continuing negotiations based on
some provisions of the given principles, but that some of them have
not been discussed yet.
The Armenian foreign minister particularly noted the provision stated
by the co-chair countries that Nagornyy Karabakh’s status should be
defined through its residents’ free expression, the result of which
will be legally binding. Nalbandyan also noted the provisions on
providing land communications between Armenia and Nagornyy Karabakh
and security guarantees.
The minister pointed out that Armenia has repeatedly stated that the
aforementioned principles should serve as the basis for a long-term
settlement.