“The aim of the Azerbaijani attacks were these negotiations, since they hoped with such means the Minsk Group would make a proposal of giving Nagorno Karabakh to Azerbaijan, however, they did not reach their goal, and Azerbaijan was forced to take part in this meeting and agreed over the installation of ceasefire mechanisms,” Minister said.
“Russia has never fought and will never fight in Karabakh instead of us,” Babayan said, stressing that Russia will always strive to develop good relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“You and Serzh Sargsyan stated that in case of military operations NK independence will be recognized. We faced the April four-day war and lost 800 hectares, what should be considered a wide-scale operation so that we took steps?” Pashinyan asked.
Nalbandian noted that the arrangements of the Karabakh conflict parties are those publicized in the trilateral statement. He said this statement did not become five-sided, since Azerbaijan refused to join it.
Warlick also said Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian will meet the OSCE MG co-chairs on June 2 in Paris.
The latest escalation in April showed the central role that Russia plays in the Nagorno Karabakh dispute, as can be seen in Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev’s visit to Armenia and Azerbaijan shortly after the escalation, and Moscow’s substantial security ties with both countries. Russia is likely to remain a primary player in the Karabakh conflict, both in political and military terms.
“Armenia’s authorities and citizens should make decisions. However, I consider, there is perception in Armenia, that Armenia-Russia strategic relations are on the right way. “
“The Azerbaijani side should, first of all, answer for crime similar to war, terror organizations,” Seyran Ohanyan, RA Minister of Defense, told.
“The meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan held last week in Vienna was a productive one with the concrete agreements and commitments, including unconditional implementation of 1994-1995 cease-fire agreements, creation of investigation mechanism, and enhance the capacities of the office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.”
Overnight May 20-21 the situation remained the same along the entire length of the ArmenianAzerbaijani state border. The Azerbaijani side fired sporadic irregular shots from various caliber weapons in the northeastern direction of the border. The Armenian Armed Forces control the border situation and confidently carry out their tasks.
