FM on US ambassador`s  statement : On the Karabakh issue, Armenia  works and conducts negotiations within the framework of its positions

ArmInfo.The statement of the US ambassador on the Karabakh conflict does not change the foreign policy agenda of Armenia.

Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan told journalists on  October 18 after a government meeting.

On the Karabakh issue, as the Foreign Minister stressed, Armenia  works and conducts negotiations within the framework of its  positions. At the same time, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan found it difficult  to answer the question whether the statement of the American diplomat  was unexpected for the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry and  whether he admits the possibility that the conflict resolution format  according to the "land for peace" formula will appear on the  conference table.

Nevertheless, as the Armenian Foreign Minister pointed out, the  negotiation process is not frozen. Over the past five months, two  meetings of foreign ministers took place, and the Prime Minister of  Armenia met with the President of Azerbaijan.

Referring to the visit of the adviser to the US president on national  security issues, John Bolton, to the region, in particular, Armenia,  Mnatsakanyan said: "We have an approved foreign policy agenda with  the United States, formed over the years." On the question of whether  the development of relations between Armenia and the United States in  terms of security and the formation of closer relations with NATO is  expected, the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry said: "We have  established position that we adhere to".

To recall, US Ambassador Richard Mills who is terminating his  diplomatic mission in Armenia, in an interview with EVN, speaking of  the Karabakh settlement, made remarkable statements. In particular,  referring to ways to resolve the conflict, he emphasized the need to  return the "occupied territories": "The settlement of the conflict is  impossible without the return of a certain part of the occupied  territories. The issue of the return of the occupied territories is  one of the fundamental points of the Madrid principles.  When I  arrived in Armenia, found that most Armenians are categorically  against the return of the occupied territories. It seems to me that  we are taking a step back. My government for many years considered  that these territories were originally taken, to later be used as  part of the formula of "land - for peace," and I was very surprised  when I discovered that this formula does not find public support in  Armenia ",  the diplomat said.

He also stressed that the April war of 2016 consolidated this  position of the Armenians even more. "Now it will be much more  difficult to resolve this issue, but the harsh reality is that any  settlement requires the return of a certain part of the occupied  territories," the diplomat said. At the same time, he stressed that  the status quo no longer proceeds from the interests of Armenia,  since in the context of closed borders and limited human and material  resources, corruption risks increase. "Corruption is not born and  thrives, because people are bad, but because there are appropriate  conditions for this," the diplomat said. -l-

The position of Armenia on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh  conflict is clearly emphasized in the government program. The  Spokesperson of the  Armenian Foreign Ministry Anna Naghdalyan said  this in an interview  with ArmInfo correspondent when asked to  comment on the statement by  the US Ambassador to the Republic of  Armenia Richard Mills regarding  the "return of the occupied  territories".  "The position and approaches of Armenia to resolve the   Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been repeatedly stressed and clearly   stated in the government's program. Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab  Mnatsakanyan also spoke about this on October 15 in Luxembourg at a   meeting of foreign ministers of the EU Eastern Partnership   countries," Naghdalian stressed.  During his speech in Luxembourg,  Mnatsakanyan stressed the need to keep the focus on the formation and   stimulation of an environment conducive to peace, which includes a   number of elements: confidence building measures, including  implementation of previously reached agreements, measures to reduce   the risk of aggravation situations.  "We must concentrate on these   issues and make real efforts to prepare the populations of all   parties for peace. Another important priority is to abandon military   rhetoric and hate propaganda. Nagorno-Karabakh status and security is   Armenia's priority. Karabakh is a party to the conflict, with a   decisive voice in settlement process, and should have more immediate   involvement ", the Armenian Foreign Minister noted.