A preliminary deal with Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh could be possible before the presidential elections early next year, Armenia's Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan told Reuters in an interview.

"I don't think the presidential election should impact on these negotiations. I am very hopeful, confident even, that we can still reach a conclusion on such a framework before then,"

PM Sargsyan is confirmed his intention to run in next year's elections for the right to replace his ally, outgoing President Robert Kocharian, but said it would not distract from efforts to reach a consensus with Azerbaijan.

"The thing is that I am not a new person in Armenian politics and Armenian government. I was there for long time and I participated in all developments particularly as regards the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Sargysan said late on Tuesday on a visit to the European Parliament. "I am well aware of all the details and now when new proposals are coming, there are also coming with my consent. That is why I don't think that the presidential elections can disturb the negotiation process."