YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR) Bako Sahakyan said in an interview that without the participation of NKR the conflict settlement is impossible.

“There is no possible development that the issue will be solved without our participation. We have concrete position on the settlement, and we have announced that continuing negotiations in the upset format is more preferable for us than war. However this doesn’t mean we are renouncing our position on the conflict settlement. Just like the previous times, we are going to try to become a full part of the possible negotiation process. Currently we do not see this possibility, because the Azerbaijani actions do not show that we can return to negotiations in the near future. Nevertheless, during these years the international community had the chance to see that the Armenian side wants the conflict to be settled by negotiations”, the President said.

The President also spoke about the rumors regarding territorial concessions: “I am aware of those rumors, and I would like to end those senseless discussions. They do not contribute to our works. During the years we have repeatedly stated that return to the past will not happen, including related to territories. We have stated that the powers relating to the current situation and territories are granted to the people and the people only. It is necessary to stop searching for contradictions between the positions of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, because such thing is impossible. We are dealing with an issue of national importance, and we cannot have differences. We carry out consistent work and until now we haven’t received the first and foremost answer from Azerbaijan – does it accept our independence or not? If not, then all that is being discussed and spoken about are void. I want both our strategy and policy to be built on this reality and truth”, the President said.

Speaking on the consequences of the recent Azerbaijani attacks the President said the most painful are the losses of soldiers, which are irrevocable. “They are our children, our family,” he said.

The President said the visit of President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan to Nagorno Karabakh was very important. He said during the visit many decisions were made.

Sahakyan also said he will meet with former President Levon-Ter Petrosyan soon.