YEREVAN. – The meeting between Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents cannot be labeled as “a failure”, however it did not justify the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ expectations, Secretary of Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Eduard Sharmazanov told a press conference on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Sharmazanov stressed that a breakthrough at Kazan meeting was not achieved due to Azerbaijan’s non-constructive stance. “Azerbaijan is just imitating negotiations, leading them to a stalemate consistently. I think the international community should give a tough response to Azerbaijan’s behavior,” Sharmazanov stressed, adding, however, any talks are better than their complete absence.  The RPA member noted the Armenian side will not make unilateral concessions under any circumstances.

Sharmazanov emphasized the necessity for Stepanakrt’s joining the negotiations process as soon as possible. He stressed a final solution to the conflict is ruled out without Nagorno-Karabakh’s participation in the talks. The official assured the Armenian side is ready to give an adequate response to Azerbaijan’s military encroachments, adding Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh are building democratic states unlike Azerbaijan.

Referring to various interpretations of the latest processes over Karabakh conflict in mass media, Sharmazanov noted that Karabakh dispute is not an issue of territorial integrity, but people’s right to self-determination. “Nagorno-Karabakh gained independence according to this principle, and the international community should recognize it,” Sharmazanov concluded