Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, in a meeting today with Azerbaijani Milli Mejlis Speaker Sahiba Gafarova in Moscow, warned Armenia not to seek European involvement to normalize Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and resolve the Artsakh issue, arguing that Armenia may lose its statehood if it did.

"Let's start from the fact that there’s a decision that was adopted at the level of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Russian Federation. We will be guided by this and will do our best to implement these agreements. And those who make statements in favor of European institutions can simply lose the country," Volodin said, referring to a European observation mission that will be sent to Armenia following Yerevan’s request.

Volodin said the involvement of the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process may cause new problems.

"Before calling the European Parliament and involving that body in the solution of some issues, it is necessary to answer whether any serious issue or conflict has been resolved with the participation of the European Parliament, PACE? There is no such example," said Volodin.

Photo: Sahiba Gafarova and Vyacheslav Volodin/Russian Duma Press Service