The time is not on either side in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Armenian Foreign Minister said.

“As soon as we settle the conflict it will be for the benefit of all sides of conflict. Regarding the talks, I do not quite agree with the view that the sides’ positions have never been closer. Back in 2001 we were close to resolve the conflict during talks in Paris through the mediation of France. At that time, as a co-chair country of the Minsk Group, France was more active, and the sides were very close to a settlement,” Edward Nalbandian said in an interview with Russia Today.

“Unfortunately, Heydar Aliyev, the then-President of Azerbaijan rejected the agreements reached in Paris – the so-called Paris Principles which were later committed to paper in Key West. He explained his decision by alleged unreadiness of the Azerbaijani public. But to resolve any conflict, the public opinion should be prepared in advance, not afterwards. The public opinion should not be stirred up, as Azerbaijan is doing at the moment, pouring oil on the fire. It is necessary to prepare public opinion for the settlement, prepare for compromise,” he said.