Lavrov: No Document Can Be Accepted Without the Agreement of Artsakh's Population

In the negotiations aimed at resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the parties themselves must decide and agree on the number of participants in the negotiations. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a joint press conference following a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. Lavrov responded to a journalist’s question about how Russia views the proposal of Armenia's new authorities for Artsakh to return to the negotiation table.

According to Lavrov, one of the former Armenian presidents made a decision that the interests of Artsakh should be represented by official Yerevan. He emphasized that it is clear to everyone that no agreement can be accepted without the consent of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. “Of course, the Armenian side will not sign any document without the agreement of the population of Artsakh,” Lavrov noted.

The Armenian Foreign Minister, for his part, stated: “As a guarantor of Artsakh's security, we are committed to ensuring a peaceful resolution environment that respects the rights of the people of Artsakh, especially the exercise of the right to self-determination, without restrictions and coercion.”