No issue of compromise discussed during Lavrov’s visit, FM Nalbandian says
“Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov brought no package of proposals in connection with Karabakh conflict settlement and Lavrov himself stated about that,” Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told reports at Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial while paying tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.
“No need to raise fabricated issues, to draw conclusions based on rumors. Lavrov himself stated that efforts should be directed at establishing mechanisms into investigating the incidents, other measures to ensure stability and security in the region in order to create a favorable environment for the negotiations to resume. That was exactly what Lavrov told,” Nalbandian stressed.
Foreign minister also dismissed reports about compromise talks held between him and Lavrov. “No issue of compromises was touched upon during negotiations with Sergey Lavrov. Overall, a set of proposals exists made by the Co-chairing states at the level of Russian, French, and the US Presidents. Those are reflected in the known five statements, and Armenian took those into consideration expressing its readiness to proceed with negotiations with a view to settle the conflict, while Azerbaijan – quite the opposite - rejected those calls. This is the reality on the ground, and the international community should exert every effort to bring Azerbaijan into a constructive stream,” foreign minister noted.
Nalbandian then reminded of the conflict settlement vision voiced up repeatedly by the president of the republic and the foreign minister.
He suggested that if Azerbaijan were satisfied with those proposals it would not bring the talks into a deadlock and unleash military operations. “Azerbaijan failed in the negotiations and tried to find solutions through military means. Today, Azerbaijan is forced to return to the negotiation table, as no alternative exists, negotiations should be resumed.”
Nalbandian dismissed reports of secret agreements that allegedly had been reached during negotiations with Lavrov.
“The negotiation process has been considerably damaged because of large-scale military operations unleashed by Azerbaijan, and we should exert efforts with the Co-chairs and the international community to overcome that damage. That seems to be a difficult task since we had losses, which is irreversible. Today the international community is engaged with that very task to bring Azerbaijan back to senses and return to a constructive stream in order to resume the talks which are of no alternative,” Nalbandian concluded.