Statements, as well as those who issue them, are of no importance; what matters is the decision- making party. NKR people are the decision-making party in Karabakh issue, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said, commenting on the statement of his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov, according to whom “the important condition of conflict settlement is the issue of “occupied territories” and Azeri refugees’ return to their homes”. As RA Foreign Minister noted, some details of that condition were stipulated in Madrid Principles, published after presidents of Russia, US and France made their statements in Acqueville.

“Azerbaijan’s being opposed to this position means it actually sets obstacles on the way to Karabakh conflict settlement,” Nalbandian said, adding that Baku hinders the settlement process by speaking against Karabakh’s involvement in negotiations. “No progress is possible without NKR’s participation in talks,” he emphasized.

“As for elimination of the consequences of conflict, issues with Martakert, Martuni and Shahumyan, occupied by Azerbaijan, have to be resolved and refugees’ return taken care of,” Nalbandian noted, adding that consequences of Karabakh conflict have to be eliminated along with conflict causes.

In conclusion, Edward Nalbandian stressed that conflict should be resolved peacefully, by means of negotiations.