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The negotiation process of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict settlement does not inspire optimism at the moment, moreover, it is simply stalled, Armenia’s third President and the candidate for next Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan said at today’s parliamentary sitting, commenting on the question of MP Karen Bekaryan over his future steps in the conflict settlement process if elected prime minister.

The Armenian National Assembly convened a special sitting on Tuesday, with the MPs set to vote on Sargsyan’s candidacy for prime minister.  

“It [the peace process] is stalled since the Azerbaijani leadership’s expectations from the outcome of talks are unrealistic and unacceptable,” he said.

According to him, Armenia has taken all the possible measures to revitalize the process and to have the agreements reached during negotiations serve as a basis for successfully completing the dialogue over Karabakh.

“But, unfortunately, our talks and meetings on not only the document on the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict itself, but also on creating confidence-building measures, adhering to the ceasefire regime and other issues turn out to be pointless, since our colleagues fail to comply with the agreements,” he said.

“I clearly restate that we are ready and our desire is to settle the conflict peacefully.”

Ex-Presidnet Sargsyan stressed the negotiation process can be invigorated if the Azerbaijan leadership gives up its vain hopes that there could be unilateral concessions on the part of Armenia and Artsakh. “It is impossible, and the future will show what additional measures we can take to effectively enhance the process,” he said.

Asked whether Armenia’s such approach is fully understandable to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, he said: “I think they fully comprehend it. It is understandable to not only the Co-Chairs, who directly fulfil their mediation mission, but also the leaders of the Co-Chairing states, as evidenced by their numerous statements. Everything is clear to everyone.”

Serzh Sargsyan was officially nominated for prime minister at Monday’s joint session of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and its coalition partner Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D).