Azerbaijan continues being threat to existence of Artsakh people: Armenia’s FM

Armenia is for peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict but it cannot tolerate Azerbaijan’s open and hidden threats of usage of force, Armenia’s foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan stated today at the meeting with the heads of diplomatic representations in Armenia.

“The attempts of Azerbaijan to violate the military-political balance which till today were reflected by the usage of force is a threat to regional security and peace. Armenia is for the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict but it cannot accept Azerbaijan’s open or covered threats of usage of force,” the minister said.

Mnatsakanyan noted that the attempts of Azerbaijan to hold negotiations in conditions of tension impede the formation of peaceful environment and do not contribute to lasting and comprehensive settlement of the conflict.

“With its unchanged policy of Armenophobia Azerbaijan continues being the threat to existence of Artsakh people. There is no alternative to the peace and Armenia and Artsakh have enough strength to ensure peace,” the minister said.

He also attached significance to the role of the OSCE Minsk group co-chairmanship and the co-chairing states in the conflict regulation and preservation of peace in the region.

“If Azerbaijan is really interested in peaceful settlement of the conflict it should be as much interested in negotiating with Artsakh authorities elected by people of Artsakh,” he stressed.