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“The meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in Geneva took place in a constructive atmosphere. The Presidents agreed to take measures to intensify the negotiation process and to take additional steps to reduce tensions on the Line of Contact,” Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian stated on Wednesday during his remarks at the Fourth European Armenian Convention.

Nalbandian added as a next step, the Co-Chairs will organize working sessions with the Foreign Ministers in the near future. So much about the Summit.

“As you know the Armenian side has long been advocating for the peaceful negotiated settlement and for the reduction of tensions and all these have been reflected in the joint statement.  The meeting of the Presidents after about sixteen months interval was made possible due to the able mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and this in itself can be considered as a positive thing,” said the foreign minister. 

Nalbandian next expressed regret over the Azerbaijani claims about a reached agreement to refrain from making any comments on the outcome of the Summit, labeling them “cheap and primitive manipulations.” “It is clear, why Azerbaijan does this: obviously it tries to avoid the responsibility for its own destructive policy,” noted the FM.

“The damage caused to the peace process by the April 2016 Azerbaijani aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh has not been overcome yet.  Second, Baku has refused to implement Vienna and St. Petersburg agreements, which were aimed at creating conducive conditions for moving the peace process forward. It is well known, that Azerbaijan has backtracked from the agreements on numerous occasions previously questioning its credibility as a negotiating party, the minister pointed, adding Azerbaijan refuses to reiterate the principles of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution that have been presented by the Co-Chair countries as a basis for the settlement, namely: the non-use of force or threat of use of force, self-determination and territorial integrity.

“Despite numerous calls of the Co-Chairs to respect the 1994-95 trilateral ceasefire agreements, that do not have time limitations, Baku continues grossly violate the ceasefire.  Yes, Armenia is convinced that there is a need to conduct intensive negotiations. We strongly believe that if Baku abides to the calls of the Co-Chairs to strictly respect the ceasefire, implement previously reached agreements, reiterate its adherence to the principles of the conflict resolution proposed by the Co-Chairs and constructively engage in the negotiations that will open the possibilities for moving the peace process forward,” went on Nalbandian, suggesting Armenia, together with the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group will continue the efforts aimed at the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict exclusively by peaceful means.