If Azerbaijan wants real progress in talks, it should negotiate directly with Artsakh – deputy FM
Armenia can never assume the responsibility of negotiating on behalf of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) on issues which lie within the domain of the Artsakh authorities, Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan told reporters on Tuesday.
According to the official, the ongoing democratic processes in the two Armenian states cannot but strengthen the Armenian side’s positions in the international arena.
“Azerbaijan’s trump card is its oil and gas, while Armenia’s power lies in its mental capacities and the people’s creative potential,” Kocharyan said.
He says there is no possibility for progress in the Artsakh talks at the moment, adding it will be achieved when Azerbaijan stands ready to negotiate directly with Stepanakert, considering the county as a full-fledged party to the conflict.
“It is obvious to everyone that the ball is in Azerbaijan’s field for more than 20 years,” he said.
The deputy FM stressed if Azerbaijan truly seeks progress in negotiations, it should negotiate directly with Stepanakert, instead of pretending such a subject does not exist.
“So long as Baku fails to accept Artsakh’s participation [in the talks], it shows like a litmus paper that Azerbaijan is not inclined to make progress,” he said, blaming Baku for pursuing policies that block the possibility of achieving progress in the peace talks.