CoE can join Karabakh settlement talks if Yerevan and Baku issue a request

The Council of Europe does welcome the initiative of President Serzh Sargsyan, who invited Mr Gul to a qualifying football match. I can't foresee the result of 'football diplomacy' but all steps that can originate a Turkish-Armenian dialog should be welcomed. I know that the two states experience problems but they can be overcome. Serzh Sargsyan's initiative was a manifestation of good will.

It's not the first time when Azeri media represented statements by CoE and PACE members torn out of the context. This time they again used a part of my speech. I did not speak of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity but I did sound the position of the Council of Europe which rates territorial integrity of all member states as one of basic principles. At the same time, the CoE supports the right of nations to self-determination. Each conflict has its peculiar ways of settlement. For instance, Montenegro gained independence through the right to self-determination.

We think that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs do their utmost for resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and we welcome their endeavors. PACE stands for dialog between Armenia and Azerbaijan and is ready to join the settlement talks if the sides issue a request. I do repeat that we support a peaceful way of settlement.