Nagorno-Karabakh: any meeting on Azerbaijani territory is risky

YEREVAN, August 24. /ARKA/. Any meeting in the territory of Azerbaijan, moreover, without the involvement of international mediators, is greatly risky, especially considering the fact of kidnapping Vagif Khachatryan, who was under the mandate of the ICRC, in the presence of the Russian peacekeepers, the Nagorno-Karabakh Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Citing its sources, the BBC-Azerbaijan Service had reported earlier that the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh are inclined to agree to the opening of the Aghdam road and that a meeting between the parties on this issue will be held in the Azerbaijani town of Barda in the coming days.

Asked whether this information corresponded to reality the Nagorno-Karabakh Foreign Ministry said,

’We would like to stress that the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) side has always acted in a peaceful way, sticking to the position of a comprehensive settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict through negotiations.

At the same time, such negotiations should proceed within the framework of the international format agreed between the parties, which will allow to guarantee that they are held in accordance with the norms and principles of international law. The Artsakh side has repeatedly made proposals for meetings via mediators, but the Azerbaijani side has rejected them. As for the Aghdam road, spokesperson of the President of Artsakh has addressed the issue.'

Earlier on August 23, Artsakh President's spokeswoman Lusine Avanesyan said that Pre4sident Arayik Harutyunyan will personally speak soon about the situation and the authorities' approach.

"The President held private talks with various governmental, political and public circles. Security and humanitarian problems resulting from the complete blockade by Azerbaijan were discussed, as well as the actions of Artsakh authorities and mediation proposals received from various centers to resolve the situation," Avanesyan said. --0--