Azerbaijani FM Elmar Mammadyarov’s statement that “occupation is occupation” is certainly true, and implies Azerbaijan must withdraw its armed forces from the occupied territories of Nagorno-Karabakh, RA Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan stated, commenting on Mammadyarov’s statements, particularly the ones on occupation, unacceptability of annexation of Karabakh and peace based on international law.

“It is also true the annexation of Karabakh by Azerbaijan is ruled out, which the Karabakh people proved in the Azerbaijan-unleashed war,” Kocharyan said. “I welcome the statement the peace should be based on the international law. I hope the Azeri Foreign Minister did not forget one of the main provisions of the international law, the aim of the United Nations, namely, peoples’ equal rights and self-determination. Even if he has failed to do so, the Muskoka statement reminds him and his leaders Nagorno-Karabakh’s status is determined by the Karabakh people by means of legally binding free expression of will,” Kocharyan stressed.

At the 2010 annual summit at Muskoka in Ontario, Canada, the G8 leaders issued a declaration about their shared views on and approaches to major global challenges, particularly the necessity to establish peace based on the international law.