Thursday, October 1 2020 13:12

ArmInfo. Armenia has no preconditions for the resumption of negotiations, as it is firmly  convinced that there is no lternative to a peaceful settlement of  the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict. Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab  Mnatsakanyan stated this in an interview with Sky News Arabia to  clarify on what conditions Yerevan is ready to negotiate.

Mnatsakanyan stated that the Azerbaijani side threatened to use  force, now they are using force, seeking a military solution to the  conflict, expecting unilateral concessions from Artsakh and Armenia,  which is out of the question.

"We are firmly committed to a peaceful settlement. At the same time,  we have an unshakable will, confidence in our strength to defend our  land, defend our people, defend the security of Artsakh and Armenia.  The Armenian population of Artsakh is determined to defend itself.  And Armenia was and remains the only guarantor of security. Artsakh.  We will defend ourselves. There is no alternative to peace.   Azerbaijan must stop its military aggression against the people of  Artsakh and return to the field of common sense, get involved in the  peaceful negotiation process to resolve the conflict, "he said.  The  chief diplomat of Armenia also pointed to the destabilizing role of  Turkey in this aggression, adding that Ankara provokes tension in the  South Caucasus with its aggressive policy.

Mnatsakanyan recalled that Turkey unilaterally supports Azerbaijan,  transferring weapons, transferring terrorists recruited from the  territories of Syria and Libya under its control. At the same time,  he added that the Armenian side has reliable facts about this. "They  are now in Azerbaijan. Today they are fighting against our people.  Their equipment is in the air, they are on the battlefield. They are  used against our people. Turkey is a destabilizing party to this  conflict. They are pursuing the same policy in the Eastern  Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa. Now Turkey is  exporting the same policy to the South Caucasus. This policy is  categorically rejected, they have nothing to do here, "the Armenian  Foreign Minister said.

He also informed that the Armenian side is over a peaceful settlement  within the internationally approved format represented by the  co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, which includes France, Russia and  the United States. According to him, efforts are being made to  deexcalate the situation and return to peace negotiations. "France,  Russia and the United States are very active. I think we are  witnessing a very good consolidation of the international community,  including the UN, EU, Russian Federation, rejecting Turkey's  destabilizing role in the region. We will continue to work closely  with all our partners to reduce tensions.  oust non-regional players  and stop their destabilizing actions, "Mnatsakanyan summed up.