Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gave an interview to the Russian TASS news agency today. Here’s an unofficial translation of the interview

Mr. Prime Minister, you have recently given numerous interviews to the media in different countries. But the situation in the region continues to change rapidly. That is why we would like to dwell on, in our opinion, the most fundamental, key points, which are not subject to change, to help our readers   better understand Armenia's approaches to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as soon as possible. Do you see an opportunity to return to the agreed ceasefire in Moscow, or has it already failed?

You mentioned the international media. I would like to emphasize that, I think, the opinion of the international community is changing at the moment. It is changing and people are becoming more aware of what is happening in our region. And, of course, this is connected not only with the active information policy of our government, but also with the active actions taken by the Armenian diaspora.

And I want to emphasize that, it is true, not at the highest or highest political level, but now there are some progress in the process of international recognition of Nagorno Karabakh's independence. Many states, several European cities have already adopted relevant documents, resolutions and decisions. Resolutions condemning Azerbaijan's aggression have already been adopted in several European parliaments.

In practice, the international community today has no doubt that Turkey is fully involved in the hostilities, that Turkey was the main initiator of this war, and that Turkey hired and transferred terrorists and mercenaries from Syria to the conflict zone. Unfortunately, we already see that some of these mercenaries are moving to the North Caucasus, already directly to Russia. We already see the activity of terrorist groups. And I am sure that this is not a coincidence, because the processes that are currently taking place in and around Nagorno-Karabakh have already gone beyond the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This is already a situation that touches on the national security issues of our region, even many other countries outside the region.

And I am sure that so far, we have not been able to implement the Moscow statement, because there are forces that are obstructing it, very specifically. And first, it is Turkey. Turkey is interested in thwarting Moscow's statement for two reasons: Turkey's actions are aimed at expelling Russia from the South Caucasus. Let us not forget that this statement was adopted on the initiative of the President of Russia, the Russian Federation. Some forces, especially Turkey, are interested in Russia's success failing. And by doing so, they hope to undermine Russia's reputation in the South Caucasus.

I think we all understand what is happening, we need to work hard to restore stability in our region. Of course, we will work very closely with Russia on this issue; we hope that the other OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs will also support these efforts.

Mr. Prime Minister, Russia continues to insist on the need for an immediate meeting between the Warring parties to coordinate the ceasefire monitoring mechanism. Does Armenia agree to such a meeting? In what format and with the participation of what parties does Armenia agree?

To be honest, such an initiative has already taken place. Consultations were scheduled in Moscow, in which the participation of military representatives of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan was expected. Our representatives left for Moscow and did their job. However, according to my information, the representatives of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry have not yet participated in this measure, which may mean that they simply refuse to do so. I cannot say, but the fact is that, to my knowledge, they have not yet traveled to Moscow to participate in those consultations.

About peace. Are you ready to start resolving the issue by transferring the seven regions adjacent to Nagorno Karabakh to Azerbaijan in stages, preserving the Lachin corridor for Armenia until the final status of Karabakh is determined?

You know, I have said many times, it is the official position of Armenia, in fact, at all times, that the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to self-determination, that is, the status of Nagorno Karabakh, has a strategic role for us.

Here is an option you mentioned. I know that Armenia was ready for a similar solution a few years ago. However, there was a nuance there: what will happen to the status of Nagorno Karabakh?

Do you mean the Kazan agreement?

Including the Kazan initiative. But I want to say that I do not consider it very reasonable, pragmatic to go for a solution, focusing on some important points, ignoring the other important points. It is necessary to understand how Azerbaijan answers the same or a similar question. Are they ready to recognize the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to self-determination?

Does Armenia agree with the deployment of Russian military observers in the region to ensure a ceasefire and security guarantees? If not Russia, what other countries could have participated in such a mission? Which countries is Armenia categorically against?

You know, I have already said that our representatives participated and agreed on a joint action plan to monitor the ceasefire. In other words, we have already done our part with our Russian partners. And I said that it is Azerbaijan that has not participated in that work so far. As for the countries that could participate.

Russia is the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, and it is clear to us that the other co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group support Russia's efforts to restore stability in the region. And in terms of all the issues related to the participation of this or that country, I think those countries have already been mentioned, the countries that should be actively involved in the process.

It is Russia that is the most active participant in this process and the other Minsk Group co-chair countries, which are also involved. It is already a matter of agreement between the co-chairing countries as to how actively they should take part in the process. Armenia does not object because the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing format is acceptable for Armenia. At the moment, our obvious position is that Turkey, which has become the main instigator of this war, can in no way take part in peacekeeping or peace processes, because it is obvious that Turkey is not interested in peace.

Russia has expressed concern over reports of the transfer of militants from the Middle East, particularly from Syria and Libya to the Nagorno-Karabakh region. How would you comment on that?

I have already talked about that. It cannot be a coincidence that after the start of the war in Nagorno Karabakh, after the escalation, after the reports that these mercenaries are taking part in the war against Nagorno Karabakh, there is information, including in the Arab media, that some groups were defeated on the battlefield, scattered in different directions.

It is obvious to me that the militants from Syria - Russia has already officially stated that they are Syrian militants - some parts or individuals of these defeated groups are moving directly to Russia, because I think they also consider Russia as an enemy, as well as Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia. The question is how this whole process will continue. Will Russia wait for all these elements to be transferred to the territory of Russia, to launch an anti-terrorist campaign or anti-terrorist operations there? I do not know. Maybe the Russian government or special services are discussing the possibility of launching an anti-terrorist operation on the spot?

In Nagorno Karabakh as well?

And in Nagorno Karabakh. Russia has carried out anti-terrorist operations in Syria, which is quite far from Russia. Because the actions of Syrian militants and terrorists there posed a direct threat to Russia's national security. Now Russian experts - I, of course, do not know how accurate this calculation - say that they are about 80 km from the Russian border. This is a completely different situation. And I think Russia has a legitimate right, the grounds to respond to that situation.

In the last 26 years, the world has not understood what the final agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the future of Nagorno Karabakh might look like, at least in general terms. How do you see this future? Are you ready to make concessions for peace or not?

We are ready for mutual concessions. We have always said that. And the starting point for mutual compromise for us is the status of Nagorno Karabakh. If Azerbaijan agrees to compromise on the status of Nagorno Karabakh, then it can be said that there are preconditions for mutual compromise.

The meeting of the Foreign Ministers took place in Moscow due to the agreement of the leaders of the three countries. Are you ready to come to Moscow yourself to meet your partner through the mediation of the Russian Federation?

I have already noted that we have always said that the Nagorno Karabakh issue must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means.

Unfortunately, it is Azerbaijan that does not agree with this view. Our position is that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means. And I am ready to make every effort to achieve such a result, including going, meeting, talking. But we all need to understand that the solution must be based on compromise. Not a capitulation of one of the parties, but a compromise. By the way, if the other side is not ready to compromise, we are ready to fight to the end for the rights of our people in Nagorno Karabakh, the rights of our compatriots.

This is the position of the Armenian government, the people of Armenia, the Armenian Diaspora. And I think this is an honest, constructive position.