Addressing the 120th Sessionof the CoE Committee ofMinisters inStrasbourg, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian reminded that a statement stipulating for peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and envisaging Karabakh people’s right to self-determination and territorial integrity was issued by the OSCE Ministerial Council in Helsinki.

“The principles proclaimed serve as a basis for the Madrid Document. Azerbaijan has been renouncing it for a year, finally accepting it with certain reservations, which exceeded the number of points accepted. Azerbaijan keeps distorting reasons and consequences of the conflict, using every chance to threaten with resumption of hostilities,” Minister Nalbandian emphasized.

As to normalization of relations with Turkey, he said that upon signing the Protocols, Ankara attempted to once again set preconditions, with Turkish parliament subsequently blocking ratification. “This is the reason Armenian President resolved to suspend Protocols ratification until Ankara is ready to resume the process without preconditions. Armenia’s step was positively assessed by international; community,” he stated.