Armenian Foriegn Minister Edward Nalbandian

YEREVAN—Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian issued a statement Tuesday in response to an earlier declaration by presidents Barack Obama, Fracois Hollande of France and Vladimir Putin of Russia on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution process.

In his statement, Nalbandian essentially expresses Armenia’s agreements with the points made by the three presidents of the Minsk Group co-chairing countries, saying that Armenia fully agreed to an exclusively peaceful resolution to the conflict.

“Just as the United States, Russia and France, we also regret that rather than finding a solution, because of Baku’s attempts to snatch one-sided advantage, progress was not achieved in the summits of Kazan in June, 2011, Sochi in March, 2011, Astrakhan in October, 2010, Saint-Petersburg in June, 2010. Armenia shares the Co-Chairs’ approach that further delays in reaching a balanced framework agreement on the main principles for a comprehensive peace is unacceptable,” said Nalbandian’s statement.

“We absolutely agree that peoples should be prepared for peace, not war. Unfortunately until now the Azerbaijani leadership is doing just the reverse. We absolutely agree with the heads of the Co-Chair states-France, the United States and Russia, that the use of force will not resolve the conflict, and that only a negotiated settlement can lead to stability and peace, which will open new opportunities for regional cooperation and development,” said the statement.

“Unlike Azerbaijan, which on the occasion and without makes references to only one principle of international law, Armenia has on several occasions reiterated and in response to the Enniskillen appeal of Presidents Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama and Francois Hollande, once again re-affirms its commitment to the principles of international law, particularly the non-use of force or the threat of force, equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and territorial integrity,” added the statement.

“In spite of the several appeals of the international community to refrain from provocative rhetoric and actions, Azerbaijan continues its bellicose rhetoric and provocations on the line of contact with Nagorno-Karabakh and on the border with Armenia, the glorification of murderers and persecution of peace advocates, the propaganda of xenophobia, intolerance and hatred, which leads to raising tension and escalation of the situation in the region,” said Nalbandian.