We Have an Unbreakable Will to Defend Our Land – Armenian Foreign Minister

The Azerbaijani side has been threatening to use force, and they are now using it, striving for a military solution to the conflict and expecting one-sided concessions from Artsakh and Armenia, which is out of the question. This was stated by Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan in an interview with Sky News Arabia.

"First of all, I would like to ask what the prerequisites are for Armenia to enter negotiations? Armenia has no prerequisites. Armenia is firmly committed to the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; there is no alternative to this. The Azerbaijani side has threatened to use force, and now they are using it, striving for a military solution to the conflict and expecting one-sided concessions from Artsakh and Armenia, which is excluded. We are steadfastly committed to a peaceful resolution. At the same time, we have an unbreakable will and confidence in our abilities to defend our land, protect our people, and ensure the security of Artsakh and Armenia. The Armenian population of Artsakh is very determined to defend itself. Armenia has been and remains the sole guarantor of Artsakh's security. We will defend it. Peace has no alternative.

Azerbaijan must stop its military aggression against the population of Artsakh, come to a rational field, and engage in peaceful negotiations for the resolution of the conflict.

How do you assess Turkey's intervention in this conflict and the involvement of certain people in the resolution of such a co-conflict? Turkey is a destabilizing force in this whole situation. Their entire aggressive policy aggravates tensions in the South Caucasus. They unilaterally support Azerbaijan by transferring weapons and transporting terrorists recruited from areas under their control in Syria and Libya. We have absolute credible information and facts about this. They have been transported to Azerbaijan, and they are fighting against our people today. Their equipment and aviation are in the air, and they are on the battlefield. They are being used against our people. Turkey is a destabilizing party in this conflict. They have pursued the same policy in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, and North Africa. Now Turkey is exporting the same policy to the South Caucasus. This policy is categorically rejected; they have no place here.

What measures have you taken in response to this intervention, for example, in the international arena, particularly at the UN? We are working towards a peaceful resolution through the internationally agreed format of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship, which consists of France, Russia, and the USA. We are working closely with our partners to de-escalate the situation, reduce tensions, and return to negotiations. France, Russia, and the USA are working very actively, and I think we are witnessing a very good mobilization of the international community, among others, the UN, the EU, and the Russian Federation, which rejects Turkey's destabilizing role in the region. We will continue to work closely with all our partners to reduce tension and push foreign actors out, stopping their destabilizing actions.

Armenia has refused peace negotiations with Azerbaijan mediated by Russia. At this moment, what is the closest or best mediation for you in the negotiations? I think you are not well informed about all of this because Armenia has never rejected the negotiation process. I must reiterate that the negotiations are ongoing within the framework of an internationally established format consisting of three countries: Russia, France, and the United States. We are working within this internationally agreed framework. We are committed to it and will continue to do so. No one can say that Armenia rejects negotiations. Quite the opposite. We are witnessing Azerbaijan's maximalist stance and use of force, which in turn implies that this conflict has no military solution. In our determination to defend ourselves, we reject the military option for resolution. This conflict can only be resolved peacefully.