YEREVAN. – The statement by U.S., Russian and French Presidents on Nagorno-Karabakh at G8 Summit on Thursday is in Armenian side’s interests, as it reflects Armenia’s position on peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict based on people’s right to self-determination, Head of Republican party parliamentary group Galust Sahakyan stated in the Armenian National Assembly on Friday.

According to him, the document issues challenges to the Azerbaijani side rather than the Armenian society.

MP from Orinats Yerkir party Hovhannes Manukyan shared Sahakyan’s viewpoint. He stressed that the principles of the Armenian side are similar to those of the OSCE Minsk Group. Manukyan noted that the international community calls on Azerbaijan to work on its public opinion, as Baku is speaking of impossibility of compromises. 

“The world has realized who it is dealing with. Azerbaijan’s deeds and words are different," he added.

MP from Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun Artsvik Minasyan hailed it bad that the statement again puts a sign of equality between Baku and Yerevan amid Azerbaijan’s constant aggression. Meanwhile, Minasyan emphasized that the document refers to the parties to the Karabakh conflict, which creates a good prerequisite for Yerevan to insist on Stepanakert’s involvement in the negotiations. 

“The mediators approved Russia’s initiatives on Karabakh peace process, stressing they expect all the sides to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to take decisive steps towards a peaceful settlement. They gave parties to understand that steps should be taken during the impending meeting of Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents’ meeting in June,” Minasyan stressed. 

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, Presidents of Russia, France and USA issued a joint statement on Nagorno-Karabakh within the framework of G8 Summit, Thursday. 

“We, the Presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group’s Co-Chair countries -- France, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America -- are convinced the time has arrived for all the sides to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to take a decisive step towards a peaceful settlement.

We reiterate that only a negotiated settlement can lead to peace, stability, and reconciliation, opening opportunities for regional development and cooperation. The use of force created the current situation of confrontation and instability. Its use again would only bring more suffering and devastation, and would be condemned by the international community. We strongly urge the leaders of the sides to prepare their populations for peace, not war.

As a result of efforts by the parties and the Co-Chair countries at all levels, significant progress has been made. The latest version of the Basic Principles, as discussed in Sochi on March 5, lays a just and balanced foundation for the drafting of a comprehensive peace settlement. This document, based on the Helsinki Final Act and elements outlined in our joint declarations in L’Aquila in July 2009 and Muskoka in June 2010, provides a way for all sides to move beyond the unacceptable status quo.

“We therefore call upon the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to demonstrate their political will by finalizing the Basic Principles during their upcoming summit in June. Further delay would only call into question the commitment of the sides to reach an agreement. Once an agreement has been reached, we stand ready to witness the formal acceptance of these Principles, to assist in the drafting of the peace agreement, and then to support its implementation with our international partners,” reads the statement posted on the website of the White House.