Yerevan Supports the Deployment of Observers in Artsakh: Only Those with Neutral Stance Can Be Included

Yerevan supports the deployment of observers in Nagorno-Karabakh. This was stated by Armenia's Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan.

According to the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Yerevan has always supported the idea of permanent monitoring of the ceasefire regime, which was proposed by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group after the escalation in April 2016. He noted that Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to expand the monitoring group of the special representative of the OSCE chairperson and to create a mechanism for investigating ceasefire violations.

“However, Azerbaijan subsequently refused to fulfill these agreements. This once again shows that neither yesterday nor today is Azerbaijan interested in a stable and verifiable ceasefire regime. But our position has not changed, and we support the deployment of observers,” Mnatsakanyan stated.

Regarding the involvement of peacekeepers, the minister noted that only those who maintain a neutral stance could be included in any possible mechanism involving peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh. “What can be emphasized from the very beginning is that any peacekeeping mechanism cannot include those who act not neutrally with words and actions, but as a party to the conflict,” Mnatsakanyan said.

According to him, “the peacekeeping operation has always been part of the fundamental principles and, therefore, an important component of the conflict resolution.” “At this stage, it is difficult to propose a comprehensive list of requirements related to the peacekeeping operation,” he said.