"Maintenance of status quo is the best variant”
Official Stepanakert thinks that the statement of the Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries will not bring breakthrough in the talks on the Karabakh conflict.
On July 17, Foreign Ministers of Russia, France, and Deputy Secretary of State of the United States made a joints statement urging Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue the negotiations to find a mutually beneficial solution to the Karabakh conflict.
Head of NKR president's Press Office David Babayan says the statement suggests two important things: the settlement of the Karabakh conflict will be long-lasting, and maintenance of Karabakh's status quo is the best variant.
"The greatest achievement of the Foreign Ministers' meeting in Almaty was that the sides reiterated their commitment to resolve the conflict in a peaceful way and preserve Karabakh's status quo," David Babayan said.
He emphasizes that the mediators urge the conflicting sides to refrain from force, especially in the context of Azerbaijan's recent bellicose statements.
Speaking about Azerbaijani Foreign Minister's statement on seeing Lachin and Kelvachar in the territory of Azerbaijan, the Head of NKR president's Press Office said they are unilateral and non-constructive.
"Truth and half-truth are different notions. Most likely, Azerbaijan touched on the issue during the talks but received a negative response from Armenia and mediators. And today, Azerbaijan declares that the issue has been put under consideration. It means Azerbaijan has taken a non-constructive posture aimed at thwarting the negotiation process," David Babayan said.
Referring to the situation on the contact line, Mr. Babayan said, "Despite Azerbaijan's bellicose announcements, the situation is the same on the contact line and our servicemen perform their daily duties. Azerbaijani's latest provocation and statements keep us on the alert and make us reinforce our army and boost economy in order to respond to Azerbaijan's anti-Armenian statements adequately."
