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YEREVAN, JUNE 19, ARMENPRESS: The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Karen Mirzoyan commented on the joint statement of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. As Armenpress was reported by the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Karen Mirzoyan’s comment says in particular:
“We welcome the interest of the heads of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair states, reflected in their June 18 Joint Statement, in achieving a sustainable and peaceful settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh.
This statement is another proof that the co-chairs are determined to exclude the possibility of resumption of hostilities and to contribute to the peaceful settlement of the conflict. At the same time, we consider it necessary to reiterate our position that the restoration of full-fledged negotiations with the immediate and direct participation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in all its stages is a sin qua non for achieving real progress in the settlement process, which is strongly hampered by Azerbaijan.
We hope that the call to intensify the efforts for a peaceful settlement will be heard in Azerbaijan and its leadership will refrain from attempts of a selective interpretation of the norms and principles of international law, escalation of tension and mistrust, as well as ignoring the existing realities.
Since the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is the most interested party in finding a way out of the current situation in the negotiation process and reaching decisions on the issues directly related to the future of the country and its people, it is ready to further exert efforts to establish lasting peace and stability”.
Earlier Armenpress published the joint statement of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, which is as follows: “Joint Statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict by Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and Franсois Hollande, President of the French Republic.
We, the Presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries – France, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America – remain committed to helping the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict reach a lasting and peaceful settlement. We express our deep regret that, rather than trying to find a solution based upon mutual interests, the parties have continued to seek one-sided advantage in the negotiation process.
We continue to firmly believe that the elements outlined in the statements of our countries over the last four years must be the foundation of any fair and lasting settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. These elements should be seen as an integrated whole, as any attempt to select some elements over others would make it impossible to achieve a balanced solution.
We reiterate that only a negotiated settlement can lead to peace, stability, and reconciliation, opening opportunities for regional development and cooperation. The use of military force that has already created the current situation of confrontation and instability will not resolve the conflict. A renewal of hostilities would be disastrous for the population of the region, resulting in loss of life, more destruction, additional refugees, and enormous financial costs. We strongly urge the leaders of all the sides to recommit to the Helsinki principles, particularly those relating to the non-use of force or the threat of force, territorial integrity, and equal rights and self-determination of peoples. We also appeal to them to refrain from any actions or rhetoric that could raise tension in the region and lead to escalation of the conflict. The leaders should prepare their people for peace, not war.
Our countries stand ready to assist the sides, but the responsibility for putting an end to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains with them. We strongly believe that further delay in reaching a balanced agreement on the framework for a comprehensive peace is unacceptable, and urge the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia to focus with renewed energy on the issues that remain unresolved”.