The Dartmouth Conference format is unique because joint Russian-American projects are few in number over the difference in approaches towards regional conflicts, co-chair of the Dartmouth Conference working group for regional conflicts Vitaly Naumkin stated during round-table discussions in Stepanakert, reported by the information and analytical department of the NKR MFA. "The fact of our constructive cooperation in the course of many years should arouse trust in the format. Nagorno Karabakh despite all the difficulties was recognized as a party to conflict and this is undoubtedly the achievement of the Dartmouth process. Certainly, such approach demanded effort and bravery of the parties," Naumkin said. "We want to help people to speak and settle the issues of peace but not war. This is the essence of peace building through new relations between the people," he said.

According to the diplomat, the intermediate status offered in the document automatically recognized Nagorno Karabakh as an independent side. "This appears as certain legitimization of Nagorno Karabakh as a party with responsibilities and rights," Naumkin said. "The idea of intermediate status doesn't suppose renunciation of anything. Nagorno Karabakh is independent de facto. We just propose to join the peaceful process. We view the intermediate status as the process of joining the negotiations. In our documents we create a trilateral format where Nagorno Karabakh appears as a full party," the Russian diplomat stated.