We do not reject contacts or meetings with Azerbaijan; we simply want certain clarity and concreteness. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Minister of State Gurgen Nersisyan told this to the Public Television of Armenia, referring to Artsakh’s possible contacts with Baku.

"We also recently heard the words of the US ambassador [to Armenia], when everyone is talking around this about security, protection of rights in Artsakh, and even somewhere they express hope that this security can be ensured, the rights of the people of Artsakh can be guaranteed, I am honestly surprised. After all, if we start with the 44-day war [in 2020], what do we have? We have a 44-day war, military aggression against the people of Artsakh, many civilian casualties, cases of [Azerbaijan’s] public torture of [Armenian] people, murders of [Artsakh] civilians, police officers [by Azerbaijan] after November 9, [2020]. Since December, the blockade of Artsakh [by Azerbaijan]; at first under the name of eco-activists, later already openly, daily shootings [by Azerbaijan] on people [of Artsakh] carrying out agricultural work. Under these conditions, to talk about guaranteeing the rights or security of the people of Artsakh, and later ensuring those rights also within Azerbaijan? I'm sorry, but I believe we are not being honest with each other," said the Minister of State of Artsakh.

To the question whether there was an American mediation regarding a dialogue between Artsakh and Azerbaijan and why Artsakh refused to negotiate with Azerbaijan, he responded: "There were contacts between Artsakh and the Azerbaijani side. They were on various matters, technical or humanitarian in nature. The Azerbaijani side is trying to show that Artsakh has refused these contacts. Not at all. The Azerbaijani side has refused the logic of discussing the issues peacefully and in reality."

"There were proposals for contacts, and apparently, there was not a refusal, but it was what the discussion was about and whether any discussion is possible under these conditions. Now the primary task is to get the people of Artsakh out of this crisis situation. This does not at all mean to impose additional conditions or demands. This is basic stuff. If all this is happening to create greater threats, what is the purpose of these contacts? We believe contact is necessary, but not under these circumstances. Both hitting and saying ‘you have to have contact.’ Most importantly, what should be discussed in those meetings? This is not contact, not negotiation, but coercion. Since December 12, Azerbaijan has openly refused the option of resolving the matter politically and diplomatically," added the Minister of State of Artsakh.

As for if there is no contact, what the alternative, the way out is, Gurgen Nersisyan responded: "We are ready for contacts [with Azerbaijan], and we do not think that the alternative is to keep the people of Artsakh under a blockade, to starve them from the point of view of Azerbaijan. Our task should be to make sure that all mediators look directly at the problems that have arisen, to assess the actions aimed at violating the rights of the people of Artsakh."