YEREVAN. – Armenia-Turkey normalization process and Karabakh conflict settlement are not linked to each other, Armenian Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“Any preconditions on the issue are unacceptable. And linking Karabakh issue to improvement in Armenia-Turkey relations is moreover unacceptable,” he said.

Earlier newly elected president of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Karabakh issue is a priority for Turkey. During his Baku trip, Erdogan said he will demand from NATO that the promises made to Azerbaijan, and concerning the Karabakh issue, be fulfilled.

Commenting on the remark, Sharmazanov recalled that OSCE Minsk Group is dealing with the settlement of Karabakh conflict.

“Representatives of the three member countries of the OSCE Minsk Group on the highest level repeatedly stated that the issue should be resolved on the basis of international law - the principles of self-determination, territorial integrity and non-use of force. Armenia and OSCE Minsk Group have common view on the issue, unlike Azerbaijan that has been constantly usuing militant rhetoric,” Armenian official added.