Secretary of the Republican Party of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov said that Armenia hails the efforts of the Presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group's Co-Chair countries for the Karabakh conflict settlement.

The statement made during G8 summit contains positive elements, specifically, the issue of Nagorno Karabakh's final status, which means recognition of the NKR people's right to self determination, Sharmazanov told a press conference in Yerevan.

"Besides, it contains provisions on a land corridor linking Karabakh and Armenia, as well as on international guarantees for the Karabakh population. But I do not agree with the opinion that the Karabakh conflict settlement has reached the final stage. The final stage will come as soon as NKR becomes a full participant of talks.

Sharmazanov noted that the statement raises questions with respect to the sequence of settlement steps. "In our opinion, the status of Nagorno Karabakh should have been defined first. Armenia has occupied nothing, while Azerbaijan has occupied the territories of Nagorno Karabakh - Shahumyan region, Getashen and Martunashen. First, it is necessary to return our lands, define the status and speak about concessions only after that," he said. As for the June 18 incident near Chaylu settlement, Eduard Sharmazanov noted that if international structures do not give a relevant estimation to Azerbaijan's actions and do not bring Baku to account, the Defense Army of NKR is able not only to prevent subversive acts, but also to liberate its territories up to Kura River.