RA MFA official answers Ilham Aliyev's accusations
The summit dedicated to the 20th anniversary of establishment of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) took place in Istanbul on June 26. The Armenian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Ashot Hovakimyan.
Addressing the summit participants, Mr. Hovakimyan emphasized the achievements and progress registered over the past 20 years, particularly the adoption of the BSEC economic agenda. He referred to the role of the organization on the international arena and the necessity of its compliance with modern requirements of international cooperation.
In response to the groundless accusation of the Azerbaijani President against Armenians, Ashot Hovakimyan said: "According to the basic documents of BSEC, the organization should act within the limits of its economic mandate and cannot become a platform for political discussions and accusations. The BSEC summit is not a proper place to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The OSCE Minsk Group is the only agreed format for the negotiations on the Karabakh issue."
The summit adopted a jubilee declaration and a strategic document on the structure's new economic agenda.
The Armenian delegation led by Ashot Hovakimyan was received by Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, surrogate of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey.
