Azerbaijan keeps on misrepresenting the essence and consequences of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, RA Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan stated, commenting on Azerbaijani FM Elmar Mammadyarov’s statements that Baku is for a phased settlement of the conflict.

First, it has to be confirmed that only one document serves as a basis for negotiations – the Madrid documents drafted in 2007. The mediators regularly submit proposals, which, however, have not yet been agreed on by the sides and cannot replace the Madrid document. If Azerbaijan makes another attempt to reject the Madrid document, let them clearly state their intention, Sh. Kocharyan said.

He pointed out the principles of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process agreed on by the parties, namely, people’s right to self-determination, territorial integrity and nonuse of force. The consequences of Azerbaijani aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh are impossible to eliminate until an agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh’s status has been reached, Sh. Kocharyan said. According to him, Azerbaijan must be ready to withdraw troops from the occupied territories and ensure refugees’ return if that state really wants to eliminate the consequences of its aggression.

He stressed that official Baku continues misinterpreting international law, stating the need for the NKR people’s self-determination within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. According to the U.N. Charter, one of the four aims of the U.N. is people’s equality and respect for the right to self-determination, whereas territorial integrity is one of the principles for achieving this aim. Azerbaijan continues acting both against UN’s aims and against the territorial integrity of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), which, in turn, is a major impediment to progress in the negotiations.

On March 15, Elmar Mammadyarov stated that Azerbaijan is for a phased settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as “it is aware that all the problems are impossible to resolve in a day.” According to him, the stages are reflected in the Madrid document. “At the first stage the Armenian side must withdraw its troops from five regions. After withdrawing the troops, the Armenian side must restore all the communications.”

T.P.