By fixing our positions on the actual process of organizing peace talks, we had conveyed it to Azerbaijan through the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries, stated that we were ready to start peace talks on that basis, and asked the Co-Chairs to assist in organizing or holding those peace talks. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this Wednesday during the National Assembly debates on the execution of the 2021 program of the government of Armenia.

“In Brussels, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan were instructed to begin preparations for a future peace agreement and to launch talks and contacts in this regard. Following the publicizing of this information, we were criticized for actually abandoning the idea of holding talks under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group.

The reality is a little different. We have not given up on that idea, we support that idea; but you also know that the relations within the Co-Chairs are extremely tense due to the events in Ukraine. (…). And even now, given this tension, we cannot passively wait for the co-chairs to act. On the other hand, the start of bilateral talks in no way prohibits the involvement of the co-chairs in the process. And we will support that idea.

And yes. We are convinced that the preparation of the process should start without delay, and we shall hope that the foreign ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan will be able to fulfill the given instructions in due time. It is important to note that today the entire international community is ready to support the process, and this opportunity must be truly seized.

However, the direct involvement of international partners in a number of issues on the peace agenda is noticeable to the naked eye. You know that there is an Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan trilateral working group on the opening of regional communications, co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers. (…).

By the way, Azerbaijan is trying to bring the process to a deadlock here as well, by trying to turn our interest in the matter of opening the roads into a corridor conversation. But as I have stated many times, this approach is absolutely unacceptable to us.

It is noteworthy that Azerbaijan is trying to implement the agenda of opening regional communications in such a way that as a result, the blockade of Armenia will not be overcome, but, on the contrary, will deepen. Or become a new justification for an aggressive policy towards Armenia. This is the reason why we shall show maximum flexibility in this issue, at the same time clearly defending our principled positions and the territorial integrity of Armenia," Pashinyan stated.