YEREVAN. – If Azerbaijan is genuinely interested in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it should be equally interested in negotiating with the elected representatives of Artsakh. Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan on Tuesday made this statement while addressing a conference of ambassadors and heads of diplomatic departments, in Yerevan.

Presenting the main directions of Armenia’s foreign policy, the Minister noted that in the Karabakh issue the Armenian side is guided by the objective of  maintaining security in the region, which is in the interests of all regional countries.

“We have seen the most serious consequences of the collapse of the security system in our neighboring regions,” the FM said, stressing the importance of maintaining the military and political balance. In his words, Armenia is making consistent efforts in this direction.

The minister also noted Azerbaijan’s attempts to upset the military and political balance.

“Armenia stands for a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, but it can’t accept the threats of open or concealed use of force by Azerbaijan and any ambition to make the ceasefire regime conditional,” the foreign minister said. “Azerbaijan’s efforts to conduct negotiations in a tense situation hamper the formation of a conducive environment for peace, and thus, don’t contribute to a lasting and comprehensive settlement of the conflict. With its unchanging anti-Armenian policy, Azerbaijan remains a threat to the existence of the people of Artsakh.”

The minister also stressed that peace has no alternative, and Armenia and Artsakh have sufficient strength to ensure peace. The Armenian Foreign Minister noted that the Armenian side highly appreciates the role of the only internationally-accepted mediating mission—the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and the co-chair countries—in the settlement of the Artsakh issue and the maintenance of regional peace.

In the minister’s words, Armenia has clearly expressed its approaches toward the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

“Status and security issues in the Karabakh peace process are of primary importance to us,” the Foreign Minister said. Armenia can’t go for any settlement alternative that could endanger the security of the people of Artsakh and curtail the scope of exercising the right to self-determination. The right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and the inalienable human rights applicable in all circumstances also imply free expression of will, which includes the conduct of free elections in Artsakh and the active involvement—in the negotiation process—of the representatives of the authorities formed as a result of those elections.

“If Azerbaijan is genuinely interested in the settlement of the conflict, then it should be equally interested in negotiating with the elected representatives of Artsakh.”