YEREVAN.- Karabakh conflict must be settled peacefully, Latvia’s Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said in Yerevan.

Speaking during a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart, Rinkevics said the statements of the OSCE Minsk Group and Co-Chairs must be respected. He said there is a certain disappointment regarding lack of progress in the peace process but the issue must be the focus of the international community.

Asked whether Latvia can recognize Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s independence, Edgars Rinkevics recalled the OSCE Minks Group is dealing with the issue, there are the principles of Helsinki Final Act: non-use of force or threat of force, territorial integrity and nations’ right to self-determination. Latvia has no intention to interfere into the process, Foreign Minister said adding it is not time to speak about NKR’s independence.

“It is necessary to focus on talks now,” he added.