The deployment of peacekeepers around Nagorno-Karabakh, their location and number should be discussed only when the issues related to the status and security guarantees are agreed, Armenian Deputy FM Shavarsh Kocharyan told in an interview with Iravunk newspaper.

Thereafter, Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh can negotiate on the territories, he noted. “A part of the Martuni and Martakert regions of NKR, as well as Shaumyan region are still occupied by Azerbaijan,” he added.

Shavarsh Kocharyan noted that any breakthrough in the peace process is impossible without Karabakh’s full-fledged participation. “Armenia can not replace Nagorno-Karabakh. Drawing up, signing and implementation of the documents is impossible without NKR’s involvement,” the Deputy FM emphasized. “Once Azerbaijan stops torpedoing NKR’s participation, it will testify to Baku’s constructive stance.  However, Baku rejects NKR’s involvement in the talks and uses the peace process as propaganda,” he added.