The 5-party statement wasn't made in Astana due to Azerbaijan's destructive approach: Nalbandyan

The five-party meeting in Astana, Kazakhastan, was a useful one, though there was no chance to make a five-party statement, of course, due to Azernaijan's destructive approach, as usual, said Armenia's Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan asked to comment on the recent meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart and foreign ministsers of OSCE Co-Chair states and the statement released by the OSCE Co-Chair foreign ministers.

"First of all, the statetment made by the OSCE foreign ministers on December 1, 2009 is cited; the three principles are cited on the basis of which the conflict must be resolved, the well-known prinicples - non-use of force of threat of force, [nations' right to] self-determination and territorial integrity," said Nalbandyan, adding that it is important that the statement mentiones that none of the principles must be prioritized or selectively approached.

"In fact they [Azerbaijan] take only one of the six provisions and speculate on it. The [OSCE] Co-Chair states very clearly said that it is a destructive approach … that the principles and provisions must not be selectively approached. Those principles have been designed as a whole and as a joint proposal," explained Armenia's FM.

Nalbandyan further said the statement clearly stresses that steps must be taken towards strengthening the ceasefire.

"It is already several years that Azerbaijan refuses strengthening the ceasefire. The Co-Chairs once more stressed that necessity so that relevant conditions are created for the continuation of the talks and settlement of the conflict."