Armenian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan, responding to a query sent by the Russian Kommersant newspaper, stated that Armenia will never agree to a solution to the Karabakh conflict that does not guarantee the self-determination of the people of Artsakh.

Here’s the full question and response according to the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Q - In recent days, various references have been made to the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in which the phased approach to the settlement has been mentioned. Please clarify whether documents were discussed at the April 15, 2019 meeting which envisage a step-by-step version of the Karabakh settlement. What is the position of the Armenian side on this? What is Armenia's current position on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

A - Results of the April 15, 2019  meeting were outlined in a joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, which outlines the scope of the talks and does not include any reference or even a hint of a step-by-step version of the settlement.

It is not acceptable for the Armenian parties to implement a solution that does not envisage the implementation of Artsakh's right to self-determination without any restrictions and may endanger the security of the people of Artsakh.

Proposals for a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, envisaging a step-by-step approach, made before 2018 are not acceptable. Moreover, since 2018, Armenia has not held talks based on a step-by-step settlement.

Armenia has a clear vision of balanced, compromise-based approaches that will enable a just and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.