STEPANAKERT. – The foreign minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Karen Mirzoyan issued comments on Wednesday in response to the statement by Presidents Barack Obama, Fracois Hollande and Vladimir Putin on the settlement of Karabakh conflict.

“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.”