Nalbandian: Issue of giving Nagorno-Karabakh a status of autonomy within Azerbaijan has not been discussed

The issue of giving Nagorno-Karabakh a status of autonomy within Azerbaijan has not been discussed in the frameworks of the negotiation process on Karabakh settlement, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated at the joint press conference with OSCE Chairperson-in Office, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier on June 29. He made the remark responding to the statement of Azerbaijan's President about the possibility of giving Artsakh a status of autonomy by Nakhijevan's model. 

According to the Armenian Minister after each joint meeting on high level the OSCE Minsk Group co- chairs wonder whether the reached agreements will be implemented. 
"Each time I give one and the same answer to this: let's wait for the return of Azerbaijan's delegation to Baku and hear their fables and everything will become clear. By such statements Azerbaijan is trying to prioritize it's own interests and present everything in such a a light that they have allegedly advantage in the negotiation process. Azerbaijan's President found nothing else then bringing Nakhijevan's example where the Armenian cultural heritage was demolished", Armenian Foreign Minister stated. In this context he stressed that the Armenian side has repeatedly stated that Karabakh conflict should be settled via peaceful negotiations by free expression of will of Karabakh people and the OSCE MG co-chairs share this stand. 

Referring to the statements of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs about the implementation of the agreements on introducing mechanisms for investigation of incidents Nalbandian noted that it is quite clear to whom these statements were addressed. Armenia has repeatedly stated that it supports the implementation of these mechanisms. 
At the same time the Armenian Foreign Minister noted that official Berlin since the first days of its chairmanship in OSCE assisted to strengthening measures of confidence between the sides and supported implementation of mechanisms for investigation of incidents. 
He also mentioned activities of OSCE office in Yerevan stressing that it is the only properly working representation office of the organization in the region, which testifies to high level of cooperation between Armenia and the organization and adherence to further strengthening of cooperation. 
To note a few days ago, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the meeting with servicemen that the issue should be resolved within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.  "Nagorno-Karabakh will never get independence; and second Armenian state will not be created on the historical lands of Azerbaijan. This is the main question. As for the status of Nagorno Karabakh is a matter of the future. Of course, a certain status can be granted. As a part of Azerbaijan, have the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Europe and other countries have a progressive experience and different statuses.  However, this status should not violate the territorial integrity of our state," he said. 

As for the mechanism to investigate incidents, the president of Azerbaijani said there is no need for it at this stage. "Firstly, these arrangements do not exist. No one specifically says us what these will consist of. In this case, consider this question today would be wrong. Secondly, what is its meaning? If it is meant "freezing" of the conflict and the adoption of any additional measures in the line of contact, Azerbaijan, of course, will not do it. This can be in the continuation of positive dynamics in the negotiation process, so that we see concrete results, so we know the terms of liberation of our territories - in this case can be developed various mechanisms, only in that case this issue can be considered".

Earlier, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs have released a statement, which says, "The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, James Warlick of the United States of America, and Pierre Andrieu of France) call on the sides to honour the agreements which were reflected in the Joint Statements of the 16 May summit in Vienna and the 20 June summit in St. Petersburg." "We urge Azerbaijan and Armenia to remove all remaining obstacles to expanding the mission of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.  We also urge progress in substantive talks and on a proposal to establish an OSCE investigative mechanism. We will continue our engagement with the sides to advance all of these outcomes from the last two meetings between the Presidents," says the statement posted on the OSCE's official website.