YEREVAN. – Let me remind [you] that three times the leaders of the three [OSCE Minsk Group] co-chairing countries had their direct contribution in terms of achieving a ceasefire; three times they made serious efforts, three times Armenia was seriously involved and secured its agreement, and three times Azerbaijan violated that agreement. Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan stated this in a talk with journalists in the National Assembly of Armenia Thursday, referring to the question why a ceasefire is not established yet at the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict zone.

"Because three times, probably, Azerbaijan was also directed by another player: Turkey. Three times we have a situation where Azerbaijan is unable to be responsible and consistent in implementing its agreement; [but] this does not mean that we will stop working to establish a ceasefire—and not alone, but also together with the co-chairs," the minister said.

To the question as to how Azerbaijan FM Jeyhun Bayramov explains the fact that they are not able to fulfill their obligations, Mnatsakanyan answered: "One of the important matters here is the introduction of a verification system; this will enable to perform this function more efficiently. Work is being done today in that sense, too, and we need to achieve that. In this regard, the involvement, determination, and work of the Co-Chairs remain very important; that is one of our priority matters today. I cannot say that we have reached it now, but this is the most important matter that we can implement—the first two points of our joint statement on October 10."