Holding a session of the National Security Council in Artsakh was an important message, especially after the latest statement by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. This is what leader of the Bright Armenia faction of the National Assembly Edmon Marukyan told journalists at the National Assembly on 13 March.

According to him, Premier Nikol Pashinyan conveyed clear and comprehensive messages and made clear emphases in his speech. “This was perhaps the first time that Armenia’s new government conveyed a clear message about the Artsakh issue in a coordinated manner. It was addressed to the international community and Azerbaijan. In this sense, we are waiting for the negotiations. Bright Armenia Party has said that bringing Artsakh back to the negotiating table is a priority, and we support the government in this regard.”

As far as the upcoming Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting is concerned, Edmon Marukyan said that he isn’t expecting great outcomes. “In his speech, the Premier raised issues about principles and elements that have to be interpreted by the international community. What do we mean by those principles?” Marukyan said.

When asked if there are chances of bringing Artsakh back to the negotiating table, Marukyan said that Armenia has to lead negotiations with the international community at the diplomatic and parliamentary levels.

“We have to lobby and let the international community know that there can’t be fruitful negotiations without Artsakh’s representative. If representatives of the international community agree with this, Azerbaijan will have no other option,” Marukyan said, adding that Artsakh’s participation is not enough for a solution to the issue since all the parties have to agree with the given option for the solution.