On July 16, the Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandyan visited Stepanakert.

Upon arrival Edward Nalbandian was received by the president of Nagorno-Karabakh Bako Sahakyan.

The two discussed issues relating to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

 

After the meeting, Edward Nalbandian responded to the questions of journalists.
 
- During the G8 summit, the presidents of U.S., Russian and France issued a statement on the  the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. How would you comment on it?
 
- We appreciate the efforts of the Russian, French and American presidents as heads of the OSCE Minsk group co-chair countries for their willingness and consistent efforts to assist the sides in bringing closer their positions and going forward to the resolution of the issue.

 As for some details of the Madrid document published on the OSCE and Minsk Group Co-chair countries’ official websites, those are proposals for the negotiations, negotiations are being held on certain provisions, some of them are not being discussed.
 
I would like to bring into your attention the fact that the principles include the three points, which Armenia has voiced several times as the basic principles for the resolution. Those are: legal status of Karabakh must be decided by the expression of will of the Karabakhi people, and this expression of will must be legally binding, permanent land connection between Artsakh and Armenia, international security guarantees. I would like to remind that if Azerbaijan has always dwelt on the territorial integrity principle, Armenia has insisted on the three principles: self-determination, territorial integrity and non-use of force or threat of force, so the published principles confirm what Armenia has always stated.

- Mr. Minister, the principles published on the OSCE website include a provision on the return displaced persons and refugees. What does it mean?
 
- I’ve already stated on this issue and I can repeat that no discussion is being held in connection with the return of refugees to Karabakh. This question may be discussed only after the final settlement of the issue, in a broader context, taking into consideration the issue of  400.00 Armenian refugees.

- In his recent interview NKR president noted that Artsakh is not satisfied with the current format of the negotiation. There is an impression that the NKR authorities have other approaches to the process of the settlement. What would you say on this?
 
- Armenia considers the full-fledge participation of Karabakh in the negotiations as a necessity and guarantee of fruitfulness of the peace process.
 
It is natural, that Karabakhi approaches on some issues may differ, but I would like to stress, that the opinion of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is of great importance for us and Armenia cannot disregard it, moreover Armenia cannot reach any agreement without the approval of the people and the authorities of Artsakh, and my presence here today is the proof of that.