“There are three well-known basic principles: non-use of force, territorial integrity and self-determination of the nations. Of these three, the optimal one should be found. That’s the hardest part,” French Ambassador to RA Serge Smessow stated at the press conference, speaking about Karabakh peace process, adding that he is not a Minsk Group co-chairman and merely expresses his own opinion.

Commenting on the joint statement of Obama, Medvedev and Sarkozy, Minsk Group co-chairing countries’ presidents on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Smessow said the presidents called and encouraged the peace process to be continued. The negotiations should be based on the mutual compromise and aimed at finding the reasonable solution of the Karabakh issue. Speaking about the position of France, the Ambassador emphasized France being the co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group is interested in peaceful and stable situation in the region, and is involved in Karabakh issue settlement. Recalling the Georgian-Russian conflict in August 2008, Smessow said that French President Nicolas Sarkozy made his personal contribution to relieve of the tension.

Smessow met with the journalists on the occasion of the national French holiday — Bastille Day, celebrated on July 14.