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Armenian FM confirms meeting with Azerbaijani counterpart in Vienna

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian has confirmed he will be meeting Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov within the framework of the 2017 OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna.

Speaking at a joint press conference visiting Foreign Minister of Brazil, Aloysio Nunes Ferreira, Edward Nalbandian said the exact date has not yet been set, but the meeting is expected to take place between December 6 and 8.

As for statements from Baku on concrete expectations from the talks, Minister Nalbandian said: “The Minsk Group co-chairing countries urge on the highest level to refrain from non-constructive, maximalist approaches.”

“The Co-Chairs call to reiterate commitment to the exceptionally peaceful settlement of the issue. Is Azerbaijan doing that? The Co-Chairs call to reiterate commitment to the three well-known principles of international law- non-use of force or the threat of force, self-determination and territorial integrity. Is Azerbaijan doing that? The Co-Chairs call for unconditional respect for the ceasefire agreements. Is Azerbaijan doing that? The Co-Chairs call to implement the investigation mechanism. Is Azerbaijan doing that? The Co-Chairs call to expand the monitoring capacities of the team of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office. Is Azerbaijan doing that?” Minister Nalbandian stated.

Speaking about Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s upcoming visit to Armenia, Minister Nalbandian said the visit will first of all be dedicated to the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations, but an important issue on the agenda will be the Nagorno Karabakh issue. He said the visit will also provide an opportunity to discuss a broad range of issues on bilateral agenda, implementation of the agreements reached on the level of the Presidents of the two countries.

Asked whether Lavrov is coming with new proposals, Minister Nalbandian said “Offering something new in this settlement process is very difficult. A number of working documents have been discussed over years, but the basis of the negotiations remains unchanged.”

“If Azerbaijan shows more respect for the calls of the international community, broader perspectives will open up for furthering the negotiation process and achieve results,” Minister Nalbandian stated.

“Our position on the Nagorno Karabakh issue is clear. Brazil is a peace-loving country, which preaches a peaceful settlement to issues on the basis of international law,” Brazil’s Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes Ferreira said, in turn.

“On this particular issue, we consider that the conflict should be solved within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship format. To reach a final settlement, it’s necessary to respect the ceasefire.

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