Epress.am News from Armenia
Azerbaijan’s bellicose statements and threats are not only aimed at the security of Artsakh (the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic) or the Armenian side, but also terrorist in nature and should concern the entire civilized world, said president of the de-facto republic Bako Sahakyan, speaking to RFE/RL’s Armenian service.
“We are carrying out serious work, so as to avoid possible military action. I consider that this conflict is not only limited by the interests of Azerbaijan, Artsakh and Armenia. Today’s civilized world has its demands particularly in our region. I view our activities not in this extreme policy, but on the contrary, we must do everything to reduce the existing tension and try to approach clarifying our relations by exercising other tools more,” said Sahakyan.
As for the Madrid Principles, according to the NKR leader, Armenia’s leadership has repeatedly stated that these and the other principles are a basis on which to negotiate.
“Consequently, we too welcome any proposal which is grounds for negotiation. And we find that the document today, if it provides the opportunity for dialogue, cannot be refused by us. If a document has been proposed by the Minsk Group co-chairs, today the talk is of the Madrid document, which allows for negotiation, that doesn’t yet mean agreement by the [conflicting] parties. And the RA leadership has repeatedly stated that the talk is about a document around which negotiations are taking place. And if tomorrow that will be this and the other document, which will make it possible for Artsakh to also negotiate, we, of course, will welcome it. Because a document doesn’t yet mean an ultimatum,” he said.