Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the RA National Academy of Sciences Ruben Safrastyan said that the joint statement of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries showed that the Karabakh conflict settlement has gone beyond the boundaries of other conflicts discussion, as a document on principles for conflicts resolution is also envisaged to be adopted.

“The document on the Karabakh conflict settlement was presented separately and prior to preparation of the document on principles for conflicts resolution,” Safrastyan told a press conference in Yerevan.

According to him, OSCE believes that the Karabakh conflict resolution should be based on those international principles, which served as a basis for the OSCE Minsk Group’s activity and where the principle of territorial integrity is not a priority one.

Safrastyan also noted that the statement attaches importance to maintaining ceasefire.

The new document indicates that a peaceful resolution of the conflict has no alternative.

“The document will serve as a basis for the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, so that they become more attentive in future and react adequately to all cases of ceasefire violation by Azerbaijan,” said Safrastyan.

The Armenian expert added that the statement adopted in Astana can facilitate further deepening of the negotiation process.