Artsakh foreing minister comments on Minsk Group’s activities

The meeting with the new Russian co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Khovayev in Yerevan is very important in Artsakh, Artsakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Davit Babayan told Factor.am.

“The other issues are secondary, not important,” he added, answering the question what they think about the fact that the newly appointed Minsk Group co-chair did not visit Stepanakert, did not meet with them there. “We attach great importance to such visits and meetings. The regional visit of the full OSCE Minsk Group is also planned. The most important thing is that the parties do not mind, there is a determination for the OSCE Minsk Group to resume its work. “We are waiting for the work of the structure to resume the peace negotiation process,” he said. Babayan added they consider that the main parties to the conflict are Artsakh and Azerbaijan, and the co-chairs are doing everything to resolve the conflict.

“We have to wait and see. Let the co-chairs resume their work, time will show the rest. We are in favor of negotiations and settlement of the conflict under the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group,” he said. According to Babayan, they expect that the style of work of the co-chairs with Artsakh will not change, it will be the same as before․ “Everything must be done to maintain peace and stability in the region, steps must be taken towards a comprehensive settlement.”

On September 6, Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan met with the Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Khovayev in Yerevan. According to a statement issued at the meeting, Arayik Harutyunyan stressed that Artsakh remains committed to continuing the OSCE Minsk Group talks. Various issues related to the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict were discussed, as well as the importance of the Co-Chairs’ upcoming visit to the region. The meeting was also attended by Davit Babayan and other officials. Igor Khovayev vitis Baku before his visit to Yerevan.