E. Nalbandian: Advancement failed as Azerbaijan withdraws from agreements
Advancement in Karabakh conflict is failed because Azerbaijan withdraws from agreements reached during the negotiations, Armenian FM Eduard Nalbandian said in a joint news conference with German FM Guido Westerwelle, answering to a German reporter’s question why advancement isn’t materialized in the resolution of Karabakh conflict.
“Such statements used to happen repeatedly, before Sochi meeting, a year ago in March the presidents focused on a number of issues. They are halted as Azerbaijan has, in fact, withdrawn from the agreements. In particular, agreement was reached to establish mechanisms for investigation of incidents occurring on the contact line. Within a year Azerbaijan has done everything to fail those mechanisms,” Armenian FM said.
He has underlined that OSCE Minsk group co-chairs have made such a recommendation in April 2011, and Armenia expressed commitment to it. “Later in October Armenia again expressed commitment to a recommendation made by the three presidents.
Azerbaijan has not yet confirmed the recommendation, but appeared with a threat that veto would be imposed on OSCE budget if a single penny was allocated to the establishment of those mechanisms. Thus, this is one of examples why advancement is failed: we reach to an agreement, while Azerbaijan does quite different things,” E. Nalbandian said.
Armenian FM called Baku’s statements claiming that inefficient mission of OSCE Minsk group co-chairing states obstructs advancement of the conflict unfounded. Armenian FM underlined that supported by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev over 10 meetings at the level of presidents or foreign ministers took place during the last 2-3 years, and the co-chairs have traveled to Baku, Stepanakert and Yerevan many times.
“Even in Sochi President of Azerbaijan hailed the group’s mission, when heads of Armenia and Azerbaijan expressed their hope that the co-chairs would continue their mission unless peace was established in the region. Following Sochi meeting, where president makes a statement, Azerbaijan addressed criticism to the co-chairs,” concluded Armenian FM.