Warlike statements voiced by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in a New Year’s address showed that Azerbaijan would not be ready to mutual concessions in 2010 and remains a threat for Karabakhi people, RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said in his interview with RFE/RL.

Speaking of Aliyev’s threats and warnings, Nalbandian told RFE/RL, “Azerbaijan’s leadership is trying to predetermine the result of the negotiations. Namely, the question of Karabakh’s status, Karabakh’s self-determination. And yet the question of Karabakh’s status must be decided by the people of Artsakh themselves.”

Nalbandian also commented on Aliyev’s statement, namely that international community supports the principal of territorial integrity and Karabakh issue should be settled based on this principle, “What are the mediating countries saying? They are saying what Armenia says: that the Karabakh problem should be solved in accordance with the principles and norms of international law and, in particular, the principles of non-use of force, self-determination and territorial integrity. This is made clear in the statement which was recently adopted in Athens by the 56 OSCE member states.”

He also pointed out that in 2009 the reference to self-determination of Karabakhi people was made in the declaration adopted in the course of OSCE ministerial conference in Athens, adding, “It was the first time that such a statement upheld the right to self-determination. A statement that was also signed by Azerbaijan.”

Foreign Minister recalled that joint statement issued by U.S., French and Russian Presidents reaffirmed basic principles of Karabakh peace proposed by OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. “Contrary to Baku’s claims, it is indicated there that the people of Karabakh hold the key to the Karabakh settlement,” said Nalbandian.

Nalbandian outlined that artificial acceleration of the peace process is pointless. Foreign Minister considers that “some progress” was registered in Karabakh peace process, however breakthrough was not achieved. “If we are able to maintain the positive dynamic of 2009, then it will be possible to improve prospects for the conflict’s resolution,” he added.