OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ proposals not Armenian side’s dream – Armenian deputy FM

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov is not arriving in Armenia to get an answer from authorities.

Rather, the agenda of his visit envisages discussions on a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation, and the situation caused by Azerbaijan’s aggression will certainly be addressed in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, Armenian Deputy FM Shavarsh Kocharyan told reporters on Thursday.

Elaborating on Armenia’s position on negotiations, Mr Kocharyan said that it remains unchanged.

“Moreover, it is impossible to disregard Azerbaijan’s behavior, its aggression in defiance of three trilateral agreements. And further negotiations must naturally be based on the following two facts: first, ceasefire guarantees - negotiating is impossible amid shooting. Secondly, we should take into account the fact we are dealing with an entity that acts in defiance of its own international commitments under trilateral agreements,” Mr Kocharyan said.

Therefore, Azerbaijan can go back on its own signatures.

“Of course, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ proposal was not what the Armenian side dreamed of. But it is based on options envisaging mutual concessions. There exists a concept of delayed referendum. Of course, a referendum did actually take place and the Nagorno-Karabakh people, in full conformity with international law and with the Soviet Constitution, clearly expressed their will. What is the point of delayed referendum? According to the mediators, the goal is to enable the Azerbaijani authorities to save their face and explain this necessity to their people because the referendum result, with the prearranged conditions considered, was almost predictable.”

Kocharyan said he has nonetheless observed a change in Azerbaijan’s policy line following the recent hostilities. “This necessitates negotiations over other approaches to those issues. There isn’t any approach that Azerbaijan would perceive a encouragement of it own aggression. We must and will be very consistent,” he added.