Lukashenko: Serzh Sargsyan refused to return five regions to Azerbaijan

At the meeting with Russian media representatives president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko referred to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process and the role of Russia and Belarus in it.

Lukashenko stressed that the issue was discussed at one of the OSCE summits in Yerevan during Serzh Sargsyan’s presidency.

He said he offered Armenia’s and Azerbaijani presidents to settle the conflict together reaching mutual compromises. Russia and Belarus had a consolidated position and promised in case of necessity deploy troops for ensuring certain guarantees.

“Then I have openly said: listen, they tell about 7 occupied territories. Serzh, give them 5 territories. What are the grounds for not returning them? They are empty. He said if the territories are returned they will cut the road and occupy Nagorno Karabakh. I and Putin promised him to deploy troops there and not allow it happen [we were speaking at the presence of Azerbaijani representatives]. He said no, we will not do it, we do not want to do it,” Lukashenko said.

He said he was rather surprised with Serzh Sargsyan’s position. “Why not? These five regions are empty. It is the first step. In such case both Armenia and Azerbaijan would have been in the CSTO and EAEU. It was a condition for Azerbaijan to become member of the organization. Why did Armenians refuse it? Not only Belarus but Russia too guaranteed that there would not be a war there if these regions are liberated and which you admit that are Azerbaijanis. It is not about Karabakh,” Lukashenko said.

He stressed the significance of peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Lukashenko also spoke about other project the Armenians refused to do.

He said when it was spoken about pipeline project from Azerbaijan to Georgia he talked with the leaders of the countries and it was stated that it would bypass Armenia. Lukashenko said he spoke with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev for him to speak with Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan on organizing transit via Armenia which would have been beneficial to both parties.

“But the Armenian side declined the offer too. But sooner or later all this will end peacefully,” Lukashenko said.