YEREVAN. - It would be somewhat odd to treat the PACE report on “violence in Karabakh” seriously, Armenia’s Deputy FM Garen Nazarian told Armenian News – NEWS.am today.

In his words, Armenia has and is for deepening cooperation with the European organizations. PACE has a number of important functions on human rights protection and democracy in this region and other parts of the world.  

“As to the aforementioned report by the British MP Robert Walter and those who supported that report, it should be mentioned that such actions can merely harm the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at the peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict. And PACE has no mandate on mediation. Moreover, Walter is soon withdrawing his mandate in PACE, and it’s very bad that he’s leaving behind such heritage,” Nazarian said.  

Responding to the question on whether such initiatives are caused by the passivity of the OSCE MG, Nazarian said: “I don’t think so. Conversely, we witnessed the intensive efforts of the co-chairing countries. Meaningful discussions were held both in Yerevan and Stepanakert. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan refuses the proposals of the OSCE MG and doesn’t create favorable climate for talks.”