Artsakh parliament speaker hails OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs' latest statement and underscores Russian role in conflict settlement
YEREVAN, April 16. /ARKA/. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) National Assembly speaker Artur Tovmasyan highly appreciated Russia's efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"We believe that Russia's separate and active efforts to resolve the conflict can be supplemented by the United States and France," Tovmasyan said in a statement released on Friday.
Tovmasyan welcomed the April 13 statement of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, which "amid complex regional events, offers new opportunities and an updated agenda."
In the statement OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs stress that special attention should be paid to the achievement of a final comprehensive and sustainable settlement on the basis of the elements and principles well-known to the sides.
The Co-Chairs called also on the parties to resume high-level political dialogue under the auspices of the Co-Chairs at the earliest opportunity and reiterated their proposal to organize direct bilateral consultations under their auspices, in order for the sides to review and agree jointly upon a structured agenda, reflecting their priorities, without preconditions.
"We expect that the co-chairs, confirming their mediating mission in the settlement of the conflict, will restore the previous practice of regional visits and discussions, including with official Stepanakert, which will significantly contribute to the conflict settlement process," Tovmasyan said.
In his statement, Tovmasyan pointed to the importance of the preservation of religious and cultural heritage in areas that went under Azerbaijani control, especially against the background of Azerbaijan's policy of their eradication.
"We hope that the relevant international organizations will cooperate with the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in the resolving this issue," he said.
Tovmasyan expressed hope that the co-chairs will pay special attention and condemn new manifestations of Armenophobia in Azerbaijan, in particular, the recent opening of the so-called trophy park in Baku.
On April 12, Azerbaijan president Aliyev opened a trophy park in Baku dedicated to Artsakh war, where along with the Armenian military equipment the mannequins of the servicemen of the Armenian armed forces, personal belongings of the soldiers of Armenia and Artsakh and the helmets of killed Armenian servicemen are displayed.
Armenian Foreign Ministry condemned its opening, describing it as 'exhibition wrapped in the elements of marauding.' -0-
