Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan reiterated Armenia’s commitment to the principles in the Nagorno Karabakh peace process, ruling out any alternative to a peaceful settlement of the conflict, Pamorama.am reports.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group issued a statement following a meeting with Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign policy chiefs, revealing that the Ministers have agreed upon the necessity of taking concrete measures to prepare the populations for peace. They also said that a possible summit between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia would give a strong impulse to the dynamic of negotiations.

The Armenian foreign policy was asked about his recent meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart in Paris.

Speaking to reporters at Yerablur Military Pantheon on Monday, January 28 - the day Armenia celebrates the 27th anniversary of the national army - the Minister said they have agreed that creating an atmosphere conducive to peace as a key factor to push forward the peace process is key.

“The most important thing we stated is that the status and security [of Artsakh] remain priority issues for Armenia. The talks focus on this,” he said.

Mnatsakanyan gave his strong assurances that nothing can affect Armenia’s approach in the issue.

Commenting on the possible return of Artsakh to the negotiating table, Mnatsakanyan said it requires constant efforts.

“Karabakh’s involvement is also a matter of practical application. If something doesn’t work out immediately, it does not mean we forget about it. This is a very concrete, practical issue for us in order to achieve progress in the negotiation process,” he said.

As for the Minsk Group co-chairs’ statement on preparing the populations for peace, the Armenian foreign policy chief agreed that it is a necessity, adding there is nothing new in the call.

“We work towards peace, but our determination must not be thrown into question. Peace has no alternative: any alternative to peace would imply a catastrophe,” the minister added.