RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian commented on his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov’s statement that he sees Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani FM also stated that “the occupied territories” and the return of refugees are Azerbaijan’s manor problems.

“Of importance is not who sees and how he sees, but who is to decide. It is the Nagorno-Karabakh people that have to make a decision. This principle is incorporated in certain points of the Madrid documents, which were published in l'Aquila immediately after the Russia, U.S. and French Presidents made their statement. If Azerbaijan objects to this fundamental approach, it is actually impeding the settlement process,” Minister Nalbandian said. One more impediment to the peace process is Azerbaijan’s objecting to Nagorno-Karabakh’s participation in the negotiations, but no progress is possible in the peace process without Nagorno-Karabakh’s immediate participation.

“As regards the elimination of the consequences, we have to consider the necessity for resolving the problems of Martakert, Martuni and Shahumyan, the regions occupied by Azerbaijanis, as well as the problem of refugees’ return to the regions. And, of course, the problem of consequences has to be resolved along with that of causes of the conflict. Al the problems must be resolved by means of negotiations and mutual agreements,” Minister Nalbandian said.

T.P.