YEREVAN. – There are very clear parts in the statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Shavarsh Kocharyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, told the above-said to reporters, after Thursday’s Cabinet meeting.

“First, that there is no alternative to peaceful settlement [of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict], which we [i.e. the Armenian parties to the conflict] support,” Kocharyan noted. “Second, the ceasefire regime needs to be strengthened, about which he said also in [Armenia’s capital city of] Yerevan. So, all this is normal.”

In addition, Lavrov had told RIA Novosti news agency of Russia that Armenia is not debating on the recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) and that this is a proposal by just two Armenian MPs, whereas the Armenian government shall prepare a conclusion on the respective bill.

“The status of Karabakh will be determined in the context of general arrangements, not in a unilateral manner,” the Russian FM had stressed, in particular.

He also had stated that the key issue is avoiding casualties, and preventing ceasefire violations and developing relevant effective measures and mechanisms.

At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, the Government of Armenia approved its draft conclusion regarding the bill On Recognizing the Republic of Artsakh, and which opposition MPs Zaruhi Postanjyan and Hrant Bagratyan had submitted.

This draft law will now be considered at the National Assembly.