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“US Secretary of State had to leave Hamburg early, as a result of which the foreign ministers could not take part in today’s meeting,” Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told the reporters during the briefing in Hamburg explaining why the foreign ministers of Co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, have not taken part in the meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers.

He reminded that the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, as well as the acting representative of the OSCE Chairman participated in the meeting held the day before.

“The meeting itself had great importance. Our last meeting was held in Washington in July,” the Minister noted.

Regarding the issues discussed during the meeting Nalbandian referred to the joint statement released by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

“The statement presents the issues which the Co-Chairs want to discuss with the two sides. The statements made by the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister do not matter. We should take into account the statements of the Armenia’s Foreign Minister and the Co-Chairs,” Nalbandyan added.

He noted that the calls of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs on excluding the use of force or the threats of using it are addressed to Azerbaijan.

“It is Azerbaijan that launched large scale military offensive against Karabakh committing numerous atrocities during the clashes. The Co-Chairs strictly condemn those gross violations,” FM said.

However the reporters observed the calls made by the Co-chairs are not addressed to a specific side.

“I think those who are engaged in this issue have a clear insight who the calls refer to. We also would like to see the addressee of the calls mentioned but the third side had to use the diplomatic language which was quite clear,” Nalbandian added.

To note, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov earlier. 

The Press Service of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that the interlocutors have discussed a wide range of issues regarding Armenia-Russia bilateral agenda.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Russia have discussed the steps towards the promotion of the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 

The two sides share the opinion that for the promotion of the Karabakh peace talks it is necessary to realize the agreements reached during Vienna and St. Petersburg summits.