David Babayan, head of the central information department at the office of the Artsakh President, said that the joint statement adopted by the Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries and the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Astana does not envisage any certain actions, but reflects the general philosophy of the Karabakh conflict settlement.

“The statement makes reference to such documents, which equally refer to the principle of territorial integrity, the right to self-determination and non-use of force,” Babayan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

He went on saying: “The parties’ approaches differ on very serious matters and, judging from it, one can say that the statement in Astana is aimed at preserving the status quo.”

Babayan stressed that the negotiations are continuously held in a distorted format.

According to him, currently it is necessary to focus on keeping peace in the region, while Azerbaijan is the main threat to it. Babayan noted that though the mediators lack a new approach to the conflict resolution, the recent developments show that the process of recognition of people’s right to self-determination enters a new stage.

“Azerbaijan does not want to hear of and hampers in every possible way the process of recognition of people’s right to self-determination, as there are numerous national minorities in its territory, who can raise the issue of self-determination,” said Babayan.