The realization of the Artsakh people's right to self-determination has been and remains on the agenda for resolving the conflict, Armenian FM Zohrab Mnatsakanyan told reporters on Monday.

Asked to comment whether it is possible to assume from recent processes that the right of nations to self-determination has faded into the background, the minister read an excerpt from his speech in Bratislava at the OSCE Ministerial Council

The inalienable right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination is a fundamental principle and foundation of a peaceful settlement, he said.

According to him, the recognition of this principle implies that the determination of the final status of Artsakh cannot be subjected to any restrictions, which should be clearly and unequivocally accepted. 

The term ‘without restrictions’ indicates the right of the Artsakh people to determine their status in all jurisdictions, administrations and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s prolonged hostile policy and the ensuing actions pose a threat to existential physical security for the people of Artsakh, the minister said in his speech.

This was once more announced two months ago in Bratislava, he said adding this is an important element of our approach to settlement, Armenia cannot question it and assume that security and status can be separated.