Nagorno Karabakh situation remains a security challenge both for the region and Europe, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said.

“Armenia sees no alternative to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in the framework of OSCE Minsk Group. However, Azerbaijan’s policy over the last year, aggressive statements and unfounded confidence spark tension both at the line of contact and on Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Thus, it is no coincidence that the situation remains tense, with young people having died for the past few weeks,” President Sargsyan said at a joint press conference with his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer.

Armenian leader further stressed the statement by OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing presidents at G20 summit in Mexico, urging the conflicting parties to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and the principles of the Helsinki Final Act – particularly those relating to the non-use of force or the threat of force, territorial integrity, and equal rights and self-determination of peoples.

“Acceleration of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement favors the interests of both Armenia and Artsakh. Hopefully, over the last few months the international community acknowledged the party undermining peace efforts,” the President said, adding that Azerbaijan accepts the principle of the territorial integrity only.