Yerevan /Mediamax/. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian today has stated that the unsettled status of NK conflict remains one of key challenges in the region.

According to him, only a negotiated, political settlement that respects every party’s rights and defines the final status of Artsakh can be end the conflict.

“We are committed to renewing the settlement process, but first of all, there should be an atmosphere of trust, and there are no signs that Azerbaijan has such a commitment.

That much is evident from Azerbaijan’s failure to implement the humanitarian points of the trilateral statement on November 9, which in particular manifests in creating obstacles to the return of Armenian POWs. At the same time, our position remains the same: the Minsk Group is the only internationally recognized format of mediation for the NK conflict settlement, and we continue supporting this format. We expect to see a strong co-chairmanship, which can, first of all, secure the substance of its mandate, in particular the advancement of the peace talks,” Ara Aivazian said at the meeting of the Standing Committee on Regional and Eurasian Integration.

He has also noted that the consequences of the use of force against Artsakh and the occupation of parts of Artsakh, perpetrated by Azerbaijan with support and direct involvement of Turkey, cannot be considered a settlement of the conflict.

“After the 44-day war, South Caucasus is experiencing a rearrangement of local and large actors. The process has not yet reached its peak and it is too early now to give an assessment to the emerging reality and challenges. Nevertheless, we can tell that Russia has assumed the dominant role in the maintenance of the ceasefire, the security, and the resolution of humanitarian matters. Turkey’s ambitions in regional processes have also grown significantly,” said Ara Aivazian.