Mntatsakanyan: We are focused on our priorities and concerns in Karabakh talks

In the ongoing negotiations over Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), we are trying to reveal the kind of parameters which maximum address our concerns and priorities for reaching a peaceful settlement, according to the foreign minister.

“We permanently work in collaboration with the Minsk Group co-chairs and Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzek Kasprzyk. The formally met in March and had a dialogue in Ashgabat [Turkmenistan] last month. This is a process in which the countries work themselves, with the negotiation process being guided on the level of those countries' leaders. Hence it is just misunderstanding to state primitively that the leaders do not meet, and there isn't any negotiation process in question,″ Zohrab Mnatsakanyan told reporters.

Highlighting the existing dynamics in the peace talks, the minister said he believes that the process can gain a rapid momentum in case of demonstrating a "constructive approach".

Mnatsakanyan also admitted the importance of reducing the risks of frontline escalations, warning of the detrimental impact of Azerbaijan's policy of hatred. ″Reducing the risks of escalation is permanently an important issue. Under conditions of Azerbaijan's continuing policy of hatred though, we cannot possibly expect a zero impact on the content of the negotiations. Yes, there are ceasefire breaches but the violations, all in all, have decreased in number. And that is an absolutely important issue for us,″ he said.