Nalbandian calls for "taming’’ Baku’s behavior

Edward Nalbandian said this addressing a speech at the 22nd session of the OSCE Ministerial in Belgrade on December 3.

“Unlike Azerbaijan, Armenia has never criticized the Co-chairs. Attempts of Azerbaijan to blame the Co-chairs for setbacks in the negotiation process only mask the primary obstacle to peace – the lack of political will in Azerbaijan to reach a negotiated settlement”, said Edward Nalbandian.

According to the Armenian FM, Azerbaijan boasts about solving the conflict through the military buildup pumped by oil revenues.

“The conflict resolution requires necessary political will which is manifested through unconditional adherence to the peace process, full implementation of the commitments, and readiness to build up trust. We have been witnessing time and again throughout the whole negotiation process the consistent efforts of Azerbaijan to disrespect prior agreements. Baku’s refusal to accept proposals that are the product of the tireless efforts of about twenty summits, several dozen ministerial-level meetings, and innumerable visits of the three Co-Chairs to the region has inflicted a serious blow to the negotiation process and severely damaged the trust. Therefore, curbing Azerbaijan’s destructive behavior at the negotiation table is key to the success of the peace process”, said the Armenian FM.

According to him, Azerbaijan is trying to invoke the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in an effort to justify the noncompliance to the OSCE commitments.

“Likewise, Baku attempts to divert the attention from the outrageous human rights situation in Azerbaijan and the growing international criticism in this regard by escalating the military situation in the conflict zone. We are confident that the international reaction to Baku’s policy of escalation of tensions should not be less targeted and strict as it is on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan”, said the Armenian FM.