OSCE Minsk Group format will not change: Armenia’s PM describes Azerbaijan’s claims about Turkey’s involvement “strange”

Armenia’s PM Nikol Pashinyan described Azerbaijan’s claims about Turkey’s involvement in negotiation process as “strange.”

“It is a very strange position. In Moscow Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign affairs ministers adopted a statement that clearly registers that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship format will not change. The negotiations must continue in that format. I am telling that Azerbaijan changes its position every time, right? The issue was agreed in Moscow by the joint statement, but two days later Azerbaijan again stated that Turkey must be OSCE Minsk Group co-chair. It seemed that the issue was solved, there was a statement, the issue is closed, but opens again. How is it possible to implement these works effectively in a situation when Azerbaijan changes the agreed positions and issues every minute?” Armenia’s PM said.

Asked whether he considers the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation at a certain phase possible, Pashinyan said, Armenia is ready for establishment of diplomatic relations without any preconditions.

“Of course, these developments, this war adds tension to our relations, but like in case of Azerbaijan we are ready for dialogue, the same is with Turkey,” Armenia’s PM said.

As to whether Turkey’s being a NATO member and actively supporting Azerbaijan may result in confrontation between Russia and NATO in case of escalation of this conflict, Pashinyan said he thinks it hardly possible.

“It is obvious that Turkey is not participating here as NATO’s representative but as a country playing destabilizing role not only in the South Caucasus but in NATO member state countries as well, like for example Greece. Greece is NATO member, but Turkey is always taking steps bringing tension to the relations with Greece,” Pashinyan said.