Armenia has clearly stated that holding of a referendum in the Crimea in our interpretation is another example of the right of peoples to self-determination through free will, President Serzh Sargsyan said in Moscow.

On Thursday President of Armenia participated in an informal meeting with the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in Moscow, president's press service reported.

“However, we are extremely concerned about the increasing violence in Ukraine  including in connection with the events in Odessa, Slaviansk, Kramatorsk and elsewhere. We can not but be worried by this situation, including because more than half a million Armenians live there,” Sargsyan said.

“It is with deep regret that we note these events resulted in the deaths of people. We presume that the crisis should be resolved by peaceful means, through a broad dialogue, first of all by the society, as well as negotiations on the basis of the UN Charter, international law and on the basis of the agreements reached in Geneva on April 17 this year.

I hope that today, in an informal setting , Vladimir Vladimirovich, you will introduce us your vision of the situation in Ukraine. Analysis of the situation suggests that ignoring the fundamental norms of international law, opposition of the dialogue to force crackdown on the right of peoples to self-determination leads to disastrous consequences,” he said.