Charpentier: Status quo is not favorable neither for Yerevan, nor for Bacu
ArmInfo.France as co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group spares no effort in imparting momentum to the dynamics of the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. French Ambassador to Armenia Jean-Francois Charpentier stated this in an interview with Azatutyun.
According to the diplomat, Paris is interested in direct contacts between the parties, since the problem concerns both sides. "As you have already noticed, the mediators are in the region, on Monday they met with the president of the republic, as well as with the minister of foreign affairs. Yesterday and today they are already in Stepanakert. Therefore, the idea is to make maximum efforts to resume direct dialogue. And France always spoke, including during the visit of the Armenian President to Paris on March 8. The French leader again confirmed his opinion that if it is time, France is ready to again accept such a meeting. Another point that I would like to focus on is the need to introduce mechanisms of trust, since one cannot expect a healthy and effective dialogue in the negotiation process without the introduction of certain mechanisms of trust. By the way, agreements were reached on this issue both at the Vienna summit and in St. Petersburg, and this provision was approved," said Charpentier.
Answering the question about the reason for the continuing tension in the conflict zone, the French diplomat once again stated the unacceptability of the status quo in the conflict zone. "Obviously, while we are in a situation where the two countries are in danger of aggravating the situation and violating the ceasefire, the situation can not naturally be simplified. Obviously, we need to try to find a solution to the issue through diplomatic means, in any case, to find a solution that is acceptable to both parties and probably to some extent on the basis of mutual concessions. I understand that this mission requires long and hard work. The mediators maintain constant contact with Yerevan and Baku. I would like to reiterate the words of the President of France delivered during the meeting with the Armenian President on March 8, which were then reported to the Azerbaijani leader, namely, that the status quo can not last long, including the points of view of security. And second, none of the two countries benefit from maintaining this status quo, "Charpentier said.