Foreign Minister Nalbandian meets with Karabakh President Bako Sahakian on Friday

STEPANAKERT—After meeting with Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian on Friday, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian said that participation of Karabakh in the peace talks is crucial for the resolution of the conflict.

“There can be no resolution to the Karabakh conflict without the participation of Artsakh,” Nalbandian said after meeting with Sahakian, ahead of a scheduled visit by the OSCE Minks Group co-chairmen to the region.

The two leaders discussed issues related to the conflict resolution process and Nalbandian briefed Sahakian on his meeting with Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov that took place earlier this month.

The two also emphasized the importance of active coordination between the foreign ministries of Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and diplomatic representations abroad. This, they said would have a positive impact on the effective implementation of foreign policy objectives.

Nalbandian said that the importance of Karabakh’s participation in the peace process was highlighted last year during a summit of presidents in Kazan, Russia.

“Even after an agreement over the Basic Principles, it will be impossible to draft a peace treaty without the participation of Nagorno-Karabakh,” added Nalbandian.

The two leaders also discussed the recent violations of the cease fire by Azerbaijan at the borders of Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and efforts undertaken by the OSCE Co-Chairmen to create mechanism for the investigation of such incidents.

Nalbandian arrived in Stepanakert Thursday and was hosted by the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Parliament and met with Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulian. He also met with Acting Foreign Minister Vasili Atajanyan and the staff of the ministry.

Discussions were held on the current status of the Karabakh peace talks as well as the upcoming presidential elections in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.