Working visit of President Armen Sarkissian to Brussels

President Armen Sarkissian, who is in Brussels on a working visit, met today President of the European Council Charles Michel.

The President of Armenia spoke in detail about the large-scale military aggression of Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh, which was launched on September 27, Turkey’s involvement, military and political assistance to Azerbaijan.

“On September 27, Azerbaijan made a decision to reject the process of peace negotiations and unleash a war while Turkey has been providing them full political, diplomatic, and military assistance,” President Armen Sarkissian noted.

“Violence in Nagorno Karabakh must stop,” President of the European Council Charles Michel said. He inquired about regional developments taking place in the context of the conflict. The President of Armenia spoke of the situation in detail and noted that Turkey has been conducting destabilizing policy in the region and poses a serious threat for the stability and security of the region.

The parties expressed deep concern with the ongoing military activities which might result in a huge humanitarian crisis. Charles Michel said that the ceasefire must be observed and negotiations must resume without preconditions.

President Sarkissian stressed as very important that the international partners understand the essence of the conflict and make clear appeals to stop the war. “Ceasefire is an absolute necessity, while Turkey must withdraw from this conflict,” the President of Armenia underscored.

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President Armen Sarkissian today in Brussels, at the headquarters of NATO met with the Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg.

President Armen Sarkissian spoke of the situation ensuing from Azerbaijan military ag-gression against the Republic of Artsakh and on the border with Armenia and especially of his concern with NATO member Turkey’s explicit political and military assistance to Azerbaijan.

Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg expressed concern with the situation and particularly with the targeting of the civilian population. He expressed hope that the par-ties would respect agreements on ceasefire and would get back to the table of negotia-tions under the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group.

After the meeting the President of Armenia and NATO Secretary General made a state-ment for press.

“Mr. President, I am glad to see you here. I highly value our discussions which are im-portant for NATO and for Armenia,” Jens Stoltenberg said in his welcoming remarks. “NATO and Armenia have years-long cooperation, and I am thankful for the input that Armenia has had in NATO missions and activities. At the meeting we spoke also about our mission in Afghanistan and I highly value Armenia’s consistent contribution to our mission in Afghanistan.

We have also held discussions on crisis in Nagorno Karabakh. I reminded the President that NATO is not a party to this conflict. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been NATO’s valu-able partners for over 25 years. NATO is deeply concerned with the ongoing violations of the ceasefire which are claiming human lives. It is important for NATO and international security that military actions stop, sufferings stop, and a peaceful resolution is found. It is also vital that all parties manifest restraint, uphold the ceasefire and reduce tension. Tar-geting of civilian population is unacceptable in any case and must be stopped. All should work to achieve sustainable political solution to the problem. Armenia and Azerbaijan should resume negotiations to achieve a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Efforts of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group remain important.”

President Armen Sarkissian said in his remarks, “I would like to support your words and also noted that cooperation between Armenia and NATO has a history, and all these years Armenia has been a good partner. As you have noted we have peacekeepers in Kosovo and Afghanistan who are fighting against Islamist terrorists. Here, I will not only confirm that we have had partnership of many years but will also talk with you and your colleagues of an issue which relates not only to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and people Nagor-no Karabakh but is significant for the entire region.

I agree with you that this conflict has no military solution. We are glad that there is the platform of the OSCE Minsk Group with its three co-chairs – US, France, and Russia. I value the work of these three co-chairs and of the presidents of these three states, efforts of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov. But unfortunately, not only 10 days ago, not even today, when our foreign minister is in Moscow, we see that the war in Nagorno Karabakh still goes on. Any act of war and shelling of civilian population is totally unacceptable.

Here, at the NATO headquarters, I would like to express my concern because, unfortu-nately, many analysts and those who follow the NK conflict closely, now, when it has re-sumed as a war, are saying that it is not anymore a conflict between the Republic of Artsakh or Nagorno Karabakh people and Azerbaijan, but there is also the third party which provides political, diplomatic and military assistance to Azerbaijan. That third party is also engaged in the actions. That third party has supported and brought Islamist terror-ists to the region. And unfortunately that third party is a NATO member. Being here I could not avoid mentioning that third party which is Turkey. I believe that Turkey, member of NATO must stop being a party to the conflict and maintain ceasefire, should understand that a peaceful solution must be found. I that case I believe, ceasefire will be upheld and after that we will be able to return to negotiations, with the mediation of the Minsk Group, and finally find a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary General. I hope that next time we meet in a more peaceful situa-tion, especially in our territory, which is an important part of the Caucasus and the entire region.”

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President Armen Sarkissian, who is in Brussels on a working visit, met today with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Josep Borrell.

President Sarkissian spoke in detail of the large-scale military aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan with the military and political support of Turkey against the Republic of Artsakh, targeting by the Azerbaijani military force of settlements, civilians and civilian infrastructures of Artsakh.

The President of Armenia noted that all this was taking place with direct and immediate engagement of Turkey which is also manifested in bringing armed Islamist terrorists to the region. This is a serious threat for the regional as well as for the international stability and security.

Josep Borrell expressed concern with the ongoing military activities and the existing situation. He stressed the necessity of reducing tension, establishing a ceasefire and returning to the table of negotiations with the mediation of the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.