YEREVAN. – “We would prefer Russia not to sell arms to Azerbaijan,” Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian said an interview to Dnevnik daily of Slovenia.

“But we’re not asking friendly countries, partner countries to do something for Armenia against somebody else. What we are expecting concretely on Nagorno-Karabakh issue is not to support one side against the other, just to be in line with the position of the international community, expressed by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. And Russia is one of the three Co-Chairs. Five statements on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement were adopted by the Presidents of Co-Chair countries - Russia, the United States and France.

“Our position is in line with those statements, with the proposals of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs. We welcomed all those five statements of the Co-Chair countries and said that we are ready to go to the settlement on the basis of three principles of the international law and the elements, proposed by them,” Nalbandian noted.

Reflecting on the current phase in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks and responding to the query on whether it is “all in the interest of big powers that this territorial dispute in the Caucasus resolve,” the Armenia FM noted:

“I don’t think we have to blame big powers or small countries or anybody else. Over last six years three Co-Chairs have been working hard as mediators, they have organized around twenty Summits, several dozens of Ministerial meetings, they have made innumerable visits to the region.

“One of the sides of the conflict - Azerbaijan, in reality is opposing the settlement on the basis of the proposals of the Co-Chairs. Azerbaijan is refusing all proposals on the conflict resolution and suggestions on confidence building measures.”

And to the question, “Is Azerbaijan in this case more powerful, is it more powerful because its energy capacities - gas and oil… ?” Nalbandian responded:

“Azerbaijan is bragging about its power, but it is a big illusion. Country, which is preaching war, not peace couldn’t be powerful. Azerbaijan has increased military budget about 30 times in 10 years, has multiplied bellicose statements, hate speech, and regularly threatens to use force.

“After all wars, sides have to return to the table of negotiations, but in worse conditions. We have a possibility to continue the negotiations together with three Co-Chairs. Why not to use this opportunity and this chance to move to the settlement, based on the proposals of the international community.”