Armenia's FM about Sergey Lavrov’s Statement on Karabakh Settlement

• 04.21.2020, 20:06
•  EEU,  World,  Armenia,  NKR

The security component remains a priority for the Armenian side in the NK settlement, Armenian FM Zohrab Mnatsakanyan stated during the media briefing on Tuesday, Panorama.am reports.

Mnatsakanyan’s remarks came at a request to comment on Russian FM Sergey Lavrov’s statement about intensive discussions around documents envisaging phased solution of the conflict.

At a videoconference roundtable with members of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund  Lavrov noted earlier today that documents under consideration envisage phased settlement of the conflict, including at the first stage the solution of the most pressing issues - leaving number of districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh region and unblocking transport, economic and other communications.

“What regards to territories mentioned in the comment [by Sergey Lavrov], first of all that is about a security  belt and defense lines. In no case any Armenian side may consider to review it and thus endanger the security of the people of Artsakh. It is impossible to assume that any Armenian side may agree to concessions that would jeopardies the security of the Artsakh population,” the minister stressed.

Mnatsakanyan next reminded that the right of self-determination is among the principles to settle the conflict and that remains a priority for the Armenian sides in the negotiations process. 

“We have defined it as security and status. I openly state that the realization of the right to self-determination means clarification of the status without limitations put on the right to free expression of will. Any peaceful settlement is possible through a compromise. No concessions have been made and would be made ever. No Armenian side would ever agree to an approach that may disrupt the security and pose threat to the security of Artsakh population,” Mnatsakanyan said.