STEPANAKERT. - We don’t see an adversary or a side which is ready to hold talks. We are for the talks, and are ready to sit down at the negotiation table, but the adversary’s conduct doesn't imply that they are ready for this, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) PM Arayik Harutyunyan told Armenian News – NEWS.am Thursday. In his words, Artsakh is ready to join the talks.

“At the important stage Artsakh will join [the talks]. No serious process and talks are possible without the participation of Arstakh. That’s why I’m saying that without the participation of Artsakh these are merely meetings and not talks. We are ready for the negotiation process, including compromises. But if there is no wish to discuss this with us, how can I say whether we are ready for territorial and political concessions?  Neither I nor any other official, but the people will respond to these question,” the PM stressed.

Referring to the situation in Artsakh, the PM noted that any war leaves consequences. “There is tension on the border, and in case of giving an assessment, on the one hand we still expect provocations, while on the other we want to eliminate the traces of military actions and start living a fully-fledged life. Now we are living in a no-war-no-peace situation.  The adversary has accumulated large powers and great amount of military equipment on the border. The adversary shouldn’t be trusted,” he noted. 

Harutyunyan also stressed that the territory of Artsakh is enshrined in the Constitution, and part of the territories is under the control of the Azeris. “We have repeatedly stated that we are ready for the talks. We also understand that talks mean final compromises, but this depends on the recognition of Artsakh independence or respect to the peoples’ right to self-determination,” the PM said.