Although the Azerbaijani President’s warlike statements are mostly intended for his compatriots, they affect the negotiation process and are one more proof of Azerbaijan’s non-constructive position, Samvel Famanyan, RA Presidential Spokesman told reporters, commenting on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s recent statement.

He stressed that escalating the situation will affect not only Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia, but also the entire region. “But Armenia cannot be indifferent to Nagorno-Karabakh’s fate. Therefore, both the Armenian President and other officials have repeatedly stated their responsibility for the Karabakh people. In case of such developments, many options are available, and one of them is the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh by Armenia with all the ensuing consequences. Or Armenia may sign a mutual assistance agreement with Nagorno-Karabakh. Numerous options are available, and I am sure that Armenia will take one or several of them,” Farmanyan said. He stressed that Armenia has not yet recognized the NKR’s independence for the only reason that it might affect the negotiation process. Farmanyan said that nothing will prevent Armenia from recognizing the NKR in case the negotiations break down and hostilities resume. “But the negotiations are going on, and Armenian has repeatedly stated it sees no alternative to a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Official Yerevan is sure that a peaceful and comprehensive solution to the problem is possible by means of negotiations,” Farmanyan said.

As regards Azeri mass media’s reports that at their Munich meeting the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders discussed the return to the Kelbajar region to Azerbaijan before the end of this year, which would facilitate the ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols by Turkey and prompt Azerbaijan to take a softer line on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. “We are accustomed to Azeri media reports ‘from most reliable sources’ on what never really takes place, which follow each Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meeting. It is mere misinformation. This issue was not at all discussed, so there may be no agreement. It has been repeatedly stressed that Nagorno-Karabakh’s status is a central issue, with other proceeding from it,” Farmanyan said.